Plane collides with helicopter, crashes into DC river; bodies reportedly recovered
Editor's note: This page reflects news of the plane crash near DC on Wednesday, Jan. 29. For the latest updates on the search for survivors, please read Paste BN's live coverage of the rescue and recovery efforts on Thursday, Jan. 30.
WASHINGTON — A passenger jet with 64 people aboard collided with an Army helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Wednesday night, and a major search-and-rescue operation is ongoing in the nearby Potomac River.
Authorities said American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land at the airport before it "collided in midair" with the helicopter around 9 p.m.
At least a dozen bodies were recovered as authorities late Wednesday rushed boats into the water to search for survivors, according to NBC and CBS.
Area officials have not said how many people died or were injured in the collision. "We can't provide any more information about recovery efforts,” Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in the early hours of Thursday morning. Bowser and other area leaders will give another update at 7:30 a.m.
President Donald Trump was briefed on what he called a "terrible accident" and was monitoring the response.
"May God Bless their souls,” Trump said in a statement. "Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders."
Catch up with live updates from the Paste BN Network.
American Airlines provides phone numbers for family members
American Airlines wants people who believe they may have loved ones on board Flight 5342 to call toll-free at 800-679-8215. "Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers," the airline said in a statement. "Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly."
− Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
Washington-area residents stunned by crash
When Arlington, Virginia, resident Habihor Rabby heard about the crash, he and a group of friends decided to observe the search and rescue efforts.
Rabby, 26, said he first tried nearby Hains Point, which was blocked off by police, and then moved to the marina on Daingerfield Island in Alexandria, Virgina, where a sea of flashing lights from emergency vehicles could be seen across the river early Thursday.
Though he frequently flies from Washington, D.C. to Kentucky, Rabby said the incident hasn’t made him nervous about traveling. While officials have not said how many people died or were injured, the crash has already taken an emotional toll on the local communities.
"That really hurt," he said. "It’s really sad."
–N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Thao Nguyen
Air traffic control audio: 'I just saw a fireball'
Air traffic control audio recorded the final moments before and after the crash of an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Audio from LiveATC.net, a respected source for in-flight recording, captured the final communications between the three crew members of the helicopter – call sign PAT25 – before it collided with the jet carrying 64 passengers and crew.
"PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ," an air traffic controller said at 8.47 p.m. on Wednesday. Seconds later, another aircraft called in to air traffic control, saying, "Tower, did you see that?" apparently referring to the crash.
"I don't know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach into 33. We're going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future," another controller remarked.
"Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river," a third air traffic controller can be heard saying.
"It was probably out in the middle of the river," the controller said. "I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven't seen anything since they hit the river. But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit."
– Reuters
U.S. Figure Skating says athletes, coaches and family members were on flight
U.S. Figure Skating, the sport's American governing body, confirmed in a statement to Paste BN that "several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342."
"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," the statement said. – Marina Pitofsky
Airport to remain closed until 11 a.m.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will remain closed for flights until at least 11 a.m. Thursday, said Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter.
The airport halted all takeoffs and landings after the collision occurred around 9 p.m. Wednesday. Aircraft were rerouted to Washington Dulles International Airport.
“Obviously, that will be fluid,” Potter said. “We'll learn more, but we wanted to advise passengers who might be coming to the airport in the morning that we will be closed until at least 11 o'clock.”
−Thao Nguyen
'My heart goes out to those people and their families'
Minutes before an American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter, Anthony Rosado landed at the DCA on another American Airlines flight coming in from Florida.
He saw the flash of emergency lights on the tarmac, but initially didn’t think much of it. When he learned his connecting flight to Buffalo was canceled, he thought it might be due to weather.
Rosado, 24, said he didn’t realize the gravity of the situation until he got into the terminal, called his wife and learned of the crash.
“She's like, ‘that could have been you,’” he said. “It's kind of very surreal. I’m very grateful that that wasn’t me. My heart goes out to those people and their families.”
Rosado was among a small group of stranded passengers waiting at the airport into the early hours of Thursday morning, some trying to sleep, some waiting in line rebook their flights and others watching a press conference on the crash. Rosado said he tried to leave the airport, but Uber drivers were unable to pick him up and he couldn’t navigate the Metro due to the heavy police presence.
− N'Dea Yancey-Bragg
Senator refers to losing 'over 60 Kansans'
Officials early Thursday did not confirm specific numbers of survivors or fatalities after the shocking crash hours earlier. However, a Kansas senator referenced losing "over 60 Kansans simultaneously."
“When one person dies, it's a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die, it's an unbearable sorrow,” U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said at an airport press conference. “It's a heartbreak beyond measure.”
“It’s really hard when you lose probably over 60 Kansans simultaneously,” he said.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said he lobbied for the nonstop Wichita-to-D.C. flight that started last year. He said he’s been a passenger on the route many times himself.
“It is certainly true that in Kansas and in Wichita in particular, we're going to know people who are on this flight, know their family members, know somebody. So, this is a very personal circumstance as well as an official response.”
− Joey Garrison
Emergency officials say hundreds of first responders in area
Emergency responders were alerted of an aircraft crash at 8:48 p.m., according to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly. First units arrived at the scene at 8:58 p.m. and discovered the aircraft in the water.
Authorities immediately began rescue operations, Donnelly said. He noted that incident is “growing” and there were currently about 300 responders working the incident.
“The conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders,” Donnelly said at a news conference. “It’s cold. They’re dealing with relatively windy conditions.”
American Airlines CEO says the focus is now on passengers, crew members and their families
Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, said the aircraft involved in the tragic collision Wednesday night was operated by PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.
He said the company’s efforts are now “focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones."
The flight had four crew members and was carrying 60 passengers for a total of 64 people on board, he said.
“We are actively working with local, state, and federal authorities on emergency response efforts,” he said.
Isom said he will be heading to Washington D.C. shortly and that the company was cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation.
− Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
Military opens own investigation into crash, defense secretary says
The Army and the Defense Department "immediately" opened an investigation into the crash, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X early Thursday morning.
The military typically conducts at least two investigations whenever a fatal mishap occurs, according to an Army handbook.
The Army Combat Readiness Center at Fort Novosel, Alabama, investigates all fatal accidents involving Army personnel or equipment. Their investigations solely focus on improving safety practices.
A parallel administrative investigation determines the facts surrounding the accident for use in discipline, public information, legal claims and more. If necessary, a third, criminal investigation occurs as well.
−Davis Winkie
Trump says collision 'should have been prevented'
After the White House released Trump’s formal written statement, the president raised questions about the crash in a post on Truth Social, referencing video of the collision and saying it appears it “should have been prevented.”
Trump said the American Airlines jet was “on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport” and the helicopter was “going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.”
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
− Joey Garrison
Metrobuses will transport people to their vehicles at airport
In the aftermath of the tragic midair collision at , multiple public transit options are available for residents in the area. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that its Silver Line metro service has been extended from the Washington Dulles International Airport to Metro Center, a major transit hub in Washington.
The Metrobuses will be available at Metro Center to transport customers back to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to their vehicles, the WMTA said.
− Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
Hypothermia a concern for possible survivors and first responders, AccuWeather says
Hypothermia is a “major concern” for possible survivors and first responders of the plane crash, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
Water temperature ranging between 33 to 36 degrees were reported in the Potomac River near the crash site on Wednesday night, AccuWeather said.
“At these frigid water temperatures, the human body’s core temperature quickly drops. Exhaustion or unconsciousness can occur in as little as 15 to 30 minutes,” AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin said in a statement.
DePodwin noted that the waters in the river has been “much colder” than they were at this time last year due to “persistent blasts of Arctic air” in the D.C. area.
−Thao Nguyen
'All we can do is pray'
At Wichita's Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, City Councilmember J.V. Johnston encouraged families to call the American Airlines help number or come to the airport where they have volunteers to speak impacted loved ones.
"There's going to be some tough times ahead. Hopefully there are survivors. All we can do is pray," Johnston said. "We're all going to know someone who is on that plane, whether a friend or family member."
− Alice Mannette
Flights to Washington airport diverted, delayed or canceled
Shortly following the crash, several dozen flights to and from DCA have been delayed or canceled, with others diverted.
Tyler Kim, a passenger on Delta Flight 2729 from Orlando International Airport to DCA, said the pilot announced a last-minute diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport due to an accident. “It was pretty scary because we didn’t know what was the cause of the crash yet,” Kim told Paste BN.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it is running extra Silver Line trains and extended its hours to accommodate travelers whose flights have been diverted to IAD, according to a post on X by Randy Clarke, general manager and CEO of WMATA. It has also deployed warming buses to support rescue efforts.
− Kathleen Wong
History repeats itself: Second plane crash in the Potomac River
This is the second time a commercial plane has crashed into the Potomac River leading to tragic consequences.
On Jan. 13. 1982, 74 people were killed when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge connecting Arlington, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and fell into the frozen Potomac River. The flight was in the air and crashed shortly after taking off from the Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The flight was headed to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
− Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
What do we know about the Army helicopter from the crash?
The military helicopter that collided with the plane was an Army-piloted Black Hawk on a "routine training flight," said Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region media chief Heather Chairez. Three soldiers − the aircraft's standard number of crew − were aboard the helicopter.
JTF-NCR oversees military operations in the greater D.C. area. Chairez said the helicopter belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, which is headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., about 10 miles from DCA.
The 12th Aviation Battalion frequently flies military VIPs around the D.C. area in specialized Black Hawks. No VIP officials were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash, though, according to an Army official who spoke with FOX News and POLITICO.
− Davis Winkie
Police control traffic at airport, helicopters heard flying
Police have blocked off at least one exit leading toward Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where a handful of passengers are waiting outside to be picked up or trying to find their way out on foot.
Helicopters can be heard flying overheard and the flashing lights of emergency vehicles crowded around the Potomac River can be seen from the windows of the media staging area set up inside the airport’s Terminal 1.
− N'Dea Yancey-Bragg
'Shocked and saddened': Aviation unions respond to crash
Aviation unions that represent both the pilots and flight attendants at PSA, the regional affiliate airline of American that was operating the flight involved in the crash, issued statements about the incident.
“While we mobilize to support the families and crews directly affected by this incident, we are also sending strength to all first responders doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety,” Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants said in a statement. “We ask the public to keep the families in your thoughts and respect efforts to get information to loved ones first as everyone clings to hope for survivors. Please avoid speculation at any time.”
“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic accident at DCA tonight. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and ALPA’s accident investigation team is responding to assist the National Transportation Safety Board in their investigation,” a statement from the Air Line Pilots Association said.
− Thao Nguyen and Zach Wichter
Search-and-rescue operation for American Airlines crash victims
In a post on X shortly after 9 p.m., the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said an aircraft was "down in Potomac River" and fireboats were on scene. The department later said there was "no confirmed information on casualties at this time."
Local police and other agencies were also responding to the scene, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
"Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare," U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, said in a statement. "A plane, traveling to the Nation's capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families."
What aircraft were involved in the crash?
American Airlines said the plane, operated as an American Eagle flight, had 60 passengers and four crew aboard. It left Wichita at 5:18 p.m. local time, and was due to land at DCA at 9:03 p.m.
The military helicopter that collided with the plane was an Army-piloted Black Hawk on a "routine training flight," said Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region media chief Heather Chairez. JTF-NCR oversees military operations in the greater D.C. area. Chairez said the helicopter belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, which is headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., about 10 miles from DCA.
"Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts," American said in a statement.
American Airlines said that people who believe their loved ones were aboard the flight should call 800-679-8215 for more information.