Update at 10 a.m. — It’s expected that there are no survivors of the midair collision. Recovery efforts are currently underway.
A massive emergency response is on scene of an aircraft crash in the water near Reagan National Airport.
A military helicopter with three people on board and a regional jet with 64 people on board collided mid-air, officials said. Video from the Kennedy Center webcam showed a fiery collision over the Potomac River.
Fire boats and at least three helicopters are being used to search for victims in the frigid river. The incident has been deemed a mass casualty incident. Numerous deaths have been reported.
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
The Metropolitan Police Department said a “multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River” after the crash. Arlington first responders are among those dispatched to the scene.
The crash happened around 8:50 p.m. In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary information indicates that a CRJ700 regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at National Airport.
The FAA confirmed that American Airlines Flight 5342, traveling from Wichita, Kansas to DCA, was the downed jet.
“The FAA and NTSB will investigate,” the FAA said. “The NTSB will lead the investigation.”
NBC News reports that the helicopter was an Army Black Hawk and there “is no indication of any criminality or terrorism in the crash.” Reuters reports that three soldiers were on board the helicopter. The military said in a subsequent statement that the helicopter was from Fort Belvoir and was on a training mission.
Entrances to the airport, including the bridge from the GW Parkway to the airport, have been closed to the general public. There is a heavy police presence along the Parkway and cars parked along the side of the road are being towed.
Families of passengers and local officials have gathered at the airport. Flights to and from DCA are cancelled until 11 a.m. Friday morning, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter said in an early Thursday morning press conference.
“We’re in a rescue mode,” Potter said. “We will continue in rescue mode. Everybody is on site doing the best they can.”
At the press conference, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said changes in flight paths are possible following the investigation into the cause of the crash.
With a total ground stop at the airport, flights inbound to DCA are being diverted, including to Dulles International. Metro is running extra Silver Line trains from Dulles, in response.
The transit agency “has sent warming buses to support rescue and we are working to assist [Dulles with] diverted flights by running extra Silver Line trains & to keep Silver open later to get people downtown,” WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke said.
In air traffic control audio posted online, the DCA tower can be heard communicating with the helicopter. Apparent gasps could be heard from the tower as the crash happened.
“Earlier this evening, we were devastated to learn of a tragic aviation incident near DCA,” said Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins. “Our prayers are with everyone affected. Our fire, police, and emergency personnel are assisting in the regional response. We will provide more information as it becomes available.”
“It is a tragic night in [Arlington], our nation’s capital and our region,” Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said in a brief statement. “We pray for the crew, passengers, and all victims and their families. We are responding with all means at our disposal in close coordination with our regional neighbors — our first priority is to save lives.”
It was 43 years ago this month that Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the icy Potomac shortly after departure, after striking the 14th Street Bridge. The U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter, famed for daring rescues following that crash, is among the helicopters involved in the rescue operation tonight.
Before the Air Florida crash, there was another mid-air collision involving a passenger plane and a military aircraft. On Nov. 1, 1949, all 55 people aboard an Eastern Air Lines DC-4 aircraft died after a midair collision with a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft being test-flown by a Bolivian Air Force officer on an acceptance flight.
We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.
— americanair (@AmericanAir) January 30, 2025
Vernon Miles, Jared Serre, James Jarvis and Scott McCaffrey contributed to this report
