A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night has left at least 18 people dead, with no survivors found so far.
The crash occurred over the Potomac River, sending shockwaves through the nation’s capital and prompting a massive search-and-rescue operation.
The American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, DC.
The Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard, around 9 pm local time as both aircraft were approaching the airport.
The collision created a fireball visible from the Kennedy Center, and debris from both aircraft scattered across three areas in the river.
Emergency responders, including the DC Police Department, US Park Police, and fire and rescue teams, worked through the night to recover bodies and search for survivors. By 11:30 pm ET, at least 18 bodies had been recovered, but no survivors were found.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash and grounded all flights at Reagan National Airport immediately after the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the collision.
American Airlines issued a statement expressing condolences to those affected and confirmed it was working closely with authorities.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and are providing full support to the families of those on board,” the airline said.
The US Army confirmed that the Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was assigned to Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion.
Heather Chairez, a spokesperson for the Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region, stated that the helicopter was not carrying any senior officials at the time of the crash.
President Trump was briefed on the incident and offered his condolences on Truth Social, calling the crash a “terrible accident” and praising the efforts of first responders.
He also raised questions about the circumstances of the collision, suggesting it may have been preventable.
The FBI has confirmed that the incident is not being treated as a criminal event at this time.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth expressed his condolences and confirmed that the Department of Defence is conducting its own investigation.
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser praised the efforts of first responders and announced a press conference scheduled for 12:30 am to provide updates.
As the search-and-rescue operation continues, authorities are working to determine the cause of the collision. The tragedy has left the nation mourning the loss of at least 63 lives, with many questions remaining about how the two aircraft came into contact on what was described as a clear night.
The incident has drawn comparisons to previous aviation disasters in the area, including the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 crash into the Potomac River, which claimed 78 lives.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
SUMMIT POST News will continue to monitor the situation and provide further details.