American Airlines jet with 64 aboard collides with US Army helicopter near DC
18 bodies recovered from Potomac River as rescue work continues
WASHINGTON, DC: A tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in at least 18 fatalities after both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River near Washington, DC, on Wednesday night.
The crash occurred at around 9:47 pm local time, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Authorities confirmed that no survivors have been found so far, sparking a massive search and rescue operation.
How it happened
The American Airlines flight, a Bombardier CRJ700, was travelling from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The US Army Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard, was conducting routine operations when the collision occurred.
Emergency responders quickly mobilised, with more than 300 units involved in the rescue effort. Live footage from the scene showed flashing blue and red lights as boats raced to recover the wreckage from the river.
I am closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and I will receive a briefing from the FAA tomorrow. While we don’t yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities. Please join Heidi and me in praying for all involved as the search and rescue is underway.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 30, 2025
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas confirmed that fatalities had been reported, though the full scope of casualties remains unclear.
US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences, calling the accident a “terrible tragedy” and commending first responders for their swift actions.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 30, 2025
The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched investigations into the crash, with some speculating that air traffic control procedures may have failed to prevent the disaster.
Search operations
The search for survivors continues in challenging conditions. Fire Chief John Donnelly noted that rescue teams are contending with "cold, windy" weather, making the operation particularly difficult. Local authorities, including police and fire departments, are working in coordination to recover the bodies from the river.
Several prominent figures from the world of figure skating are feared to have been on board the American Airlines flight. Russian coaches and world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, along with their son, were reportedly travelling with a group of young skaters. The US Figure Skating Association has confirmed that members of the skating community were among the victims.
Investigation underway
This incident marks the first deadly crash involving a commercial passenger plane in the United States since 2009. However, a recent series of near-miss incidents has raised concerns about aviation safety, particularly regarding air traffic control oversight. The FAA is under scrutiny following these events.
NTSB has launched a go-team to the aviation accident involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane and a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) January 30, 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated its investigation into the cause of the mid-air collision, which could take several months to resolve. As authorities continue to work towards understanding what led to the tragic crash, the families of the victims are left grappling with the immense loss.