U.S. Passenger Plane Collides with Army Black Hawk at Reagan National Airport

A commercial passenger jet collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, according to federal aviation officials. The accident occurred just before 9 p.m. ET as the jet was approaching the runway for landing.

The American Airlines flight, operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle Flight 5342, was a Bombardier CRJ-700 carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was attempting to land on Runway 33 at Reagan. Meanwhile, the Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three soldiers from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was also operating in the area when the collision occurred.

A webcam from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts captured the moment of impact, showing a bright explosion following the collision. Radar tracking data indicates that the passenger jet may have crashed into the frigid waters of the Potomac River. Emergency response teams, including DC Fire and EMS, deployed helicopters and fireboats to the river in an urgent search-and-rescue operation. Officials confirmed that multiple agencies were involved in the coordinated effort to locate survivors.

American Airlines issued a statement expressing concern for those on board and confirming that the airline was working closely with authorities and emergency responders. The Pentagon also confirmed the presence of three soldiers in the Black Hawk but did not provide details on their condition.

The airspace around Reagan National Airport is particularly complex due to strict flight restrictions over government buildings and heavy air traffic, including police and military helicopters. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to launch an investigation into the incident.

In response to the accident, President Trump issued a statement expressing condolences and commending first responders for their swift actions. He assured the public that updates would be provided as more information became available.

All flights at Reagan National Airport were temporarily halted following the collision. If confirmed as a mass casualty event, this could be one of the most significant aviation disasters in the U.S. in over a decade. The last major commercial airline crash in the country occurred in 2009 when Colgan Air Flight 3407 went down near Buffalo, New York, killing 50 people.

Authorities continue to search for survivors, and further details are expected as investigations progress.