A mid-air collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional jet near Reagan International Airport in DC was caught on camera from the Kennedy Center Wednesday night, prompting a massive response from fire, EMS, and police.
According to Fox‘s Chad Pergram, the jet was a PSA Airlines Bombadier CRJ700 regional jet which was on approach to runway 33 at Reagan Airport. It was reportedly carrying 64 individuals, including four crew members. There is no information at this time on casualties, however four individuals have reportedly been rescued and have been transported to the North Boathouse Fire Station at the airport.
That said…
.@nbcwashington — Plane split in two in seven feet of water. Helicopter upside down, sort of “bobbing up and down” in water. Call went out to any vessels in the area to assist in search and rescue.
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) January 30, 2025
There were three individuals on the Black Hawk which was operating out of Fort Belvoir in Virginia, according to the Army. None of those aboard were senior Army officials, according to the NYT.
FAA: 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,…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 30, 2025
According to local police, “DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River.”
DCA scanner: a guy just asked for the “morgue to be started up.” Another guy responded “it’s already started and running in the boat house.”
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) January 30, 2025
Any survivors in the water could be at risk, according to the NY Times, as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in the Washington area tonight. According to the National Weather Service, hypothermia can kick in within 20-30 minutes in cold water.
According to Flightradar24, the Black Hawk helicopter was not broadcasting its ADS-B data at the time of the crash.
The FAA confirms tonight’s collision near DCA involved #AA5342 and a US military H60. The helicopter was not broadcasting ADS-B data. The last received ADS-B position from the CRJ was at 01:48 UTC.
AA5342 was en route from Wichita to Washington (DCA) and was on final approach… pic.twitter.com/2NT3LGCAlq
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 30, 2025
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that President Trump is aware of the situation, adding that it “tragically appears a military helicopter collided with a regional jet.”
“May God Bless their souls,” Trump said in a statement.
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
In response to the incident, nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport halted all takeoffs and landings as emergency personnel responded do an “aircraft incident on the airfield.”
DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services posted to X shortly after 9 p.m. that a small aircraft was down in the Potomac River near the airport, and that boats managed by the fire department were on the scene.
Confirmed small aircraft down in Potomac River vicinity Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene. #DCsBravest
— DC Fire and EMS Department (@dcfireems) January 30, 2025
Fire boats collecting bodies from around the debris field per live scanner traffic.
— Tyler Anderson, MD (@DoctorTyMD) January 30, 2025
🚨🇺🇸 PRESIDENT BRIEFED ON D.C. MID-AIR COLLISION
Trump has been briefed on the mid-air collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter near Reagan National Airport, according to the White House press office.
The FAA reports that the Bombardier… https://t.co/D8USeGIE4I pic.twitter.com/fJYFK43AXT
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 30, 2025
According to an account from someone who claims to have listened to air traffic control audio (so very unconfirmed):
Just listened thru 20 mins of ATC recording Helo called out to ATC that he could see a jet on approach ATC asked for heading and altitude Helo called back with heading and altitude ATC called out >maintain visual separation ATC called out to American Jet and confirmed they were on final American jet said yes on final at xxx altitude xxx knots ATC called out maintain final Helo called out he could see airliner, confirm maintain ATC called out >maintain heading Then literally 5 seconds later ATC calls out >American 472 cancel landing clearance for runway 1c it was at that moment…. ATC realized he fuck’t up the call out “maintain visual separation” basically tells the pilots to watch out for themselves and make sure you dont run into each other, its a way to release liability from the ATC for separation distance. It leaves it up to the pilots. However ATC then told them both to maintain heading
Audio between PAT25 and DCA tower asking if they have the CRJ in sight. Affirms and requests visual separation. pic.twitter.com/6VAxx9zmv5
— NOVA Scanner Updates (@NOVAScanner) January 30, 2025
Listen here (starts at 17:30 – 18:04).
Layman terms:
Tower: “Chopper do you have the plane in sight?”
“Pass behind the plane” https://t.co/AEvwKvHE5D— Sandy 〽️ (@RightGlockMom) January 30, 2025
In a post to X, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) said he had seen reports of a collision with a DC helicopter and a flight that was inbound from Wichita, Kansas.
“We are in contact with authorities working to get answers,” Marshall wrote. “We ask you to join us in prayer for every single passenger and their families.”
NEW: Man waiting for his wife at Reagan National Airport shows a reporter the final texts with his wife before the plane with 60 on board went down.
The man said his wife texted him that she was landing in 20 minutes.
“I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the… pic.twitter.com/SnEmNtMLKl
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 30, 2025
Developing…
Tyler Durden
Wed, 01/29/2025 – 22:11
