American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kan., collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night just before 9 p.m.
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🚨AA flight 5342 (American Eagle) has collided with a DC Police helicopter on approach to DCA airport just over the Potomac River
The AA 5342 is a Bombardier CRJ700 with a capacity of 68-73 passengers
Pray for survivors pic.twitter.com/joOgMxKRzt
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 30, 2025
Both the White House and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the information. All flights at Reagan National have been halted until further notice.
🚨BREAKING: American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas has crashed into a helicopter while landing at Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC#potomac #PotomacRiver pic.twitter.com/Ddq1qwa25S
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) January 30, 2025
The FAA released the following statement about the crash:
A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.
The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We will provide updates as information comes in.
The D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and D.C. Fire and EMS also released a statement about a coordinated search and rescue operation currently taking place in the Potomac River:
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🚨 BREAKING: President Donald Trump briefed on Potomac air crash
WHITE HOUSE Press Sec. Leavitt confirms: “A military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport.” pic.twitter.com/jJKEkAFHSw
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 30, 2025
JUST IN: 60 people are reportedly deceased after an American Airlines Flight collided with a Black Hawk helicopter.
Body drop offs of victims are currently taking place, according to police scanner.
President Trump has been briefed on the crash. pic.twitter.com/akwRSMjZbW
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 30, 2025
Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 30, 2025
This is a developing story. We’ll have more information as it becomes available.
