A commercial plane crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., after colliding midair with a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport, according to the D.C. Fire Department.
Reports indicate that the helicopter involved was a Blackhawk military aircraft, and the plane was a regional jet arriving from Wichita, Kansas. The crash happened around 9 p.m. EST while the plane was approaching Reagan National Airport.
Emergency teams, including fireboats and multiple agencies like the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), rushed to the scene. The airport immediately halted all takeoffs and landings to allow emergency personnel to respond effectively.
Rescue and Response
NBC News reported that emergency officials rescued four people from the river alive. American Airlines later confirmed that the flight, American Eagle 5342, had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. The flight took off from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport at 5:22 PM CST.
President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were briefed on the situation. The president praised first responders for their quick action and said he was monitoring developments. “May God bless their souls,” he added in his statement.
Vice President Vance also addressed the incident, urging people to pray for those affected. “We’re monitoring the situation, but for now, let’s hope for the best,” he wrote on social media.
Crash Details
According to the Associated Press, air traffic controllers were in communication with the helicopter just before the crash. Less than 30 seconds before impact, a controller asked the helicopter pilot if they had the approaching plane in sight: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?”
Moments later, the controller instructed the helicopter to “pass behind the CRJ.” However, the two aircraft collided shortly after, and the helicopter did not appear to respond to the air traffic control warnings. The plane’s transponder signal stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway, approximately over the river.
Government Response
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that all available U.S. Coast Guard resources were being deployed for search and rescue. She assured that her agency was closely monitoring the situation and supporting local responders.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, newly sworn in, also confirmed he was at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) headquarters, closely tracking the incident.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash while rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing.
