American Airlines Flight, U.S. Army Helo Collide Near Washington, D.C., Airport

A PSA Airlines CRJ-700 flying for American Airlines and a U.S. Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter collided as the regional airliner was about to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Jan. 29 near Washington, D.C., causing the first multi-fatality accident involving a U.S. passenger airliner in more than 16 years.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a statement said the aircraft, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, was on approach to Runway 33 when it collided with the Sikorsky helicopter over the Potomac River at about 9 p.m. local time.

The flight departed from Wichita, Kansas. American Airlines said in a statement that there were 60 passengers and four crewmembers on board the aircraft. As of the morning of Jan. 30 more than 30 bodies have been recovered. 

Local political and emergency officials did not provide specific details on the number of casualties as a result of the accident during a briefing early Jan. 30. “All those lives are so valuable. It is such a tragedy that we lost them,” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) said at the briefing.

The aircraft were in water about 8 ft. deep with emergency crews attempting recovery operations in cold water and heavy winds, emergency officials said.

“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,” American Airlines said in a statement. “We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”

A webcam feed operating from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts showed the aircraft approaching the airport and a bright explosion as it appeared to collide with the helicopter approaching from its north.

Flight trackers showed the helicopter, operating as PAT25, had taken off from near Langley, Virginia, and was flying over the Potomac River near Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. The PAT radio call sign stands for “Priority Air Transport,” and the helicopters regularly carry VIPs through the D.C. area.

The helicopter was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield at nearby Fort Belvoir and was conducting a training flight, the Army’s Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region said in a statement. Three soldiers were reportedly on board the helicopter.

The Joint Washington Metropolitan Police Department, D.C. Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service said in a statement that they were coordinating a search-and-rescue operation in the Potomac River with no confirmed information on casualties. The airport stopped operations as helicopters from agencies including the U.S. Park Police and Prince George’s County Police searched the river. Images on social media show dozens of ambulances and other emergency vehicles on DCA’s flight line amid the search.

The airport will remain closed until the morning of Jan. 30.

“The FAA and NTSB will investigate,” the FAA said in the statement. “The NTSB will lead the investigation. We will provide updates as information comes in.”

The crash comes one year after American Airlines added direct flights from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Washington. Late Jan. 29, the Wichita Airport Authority set up an airport family support team with a chaplain as families began to gather. In the meantime, Wichita residents are collectively holding their breath to hear news on who was on board.

U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Marshall and Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas), who represents Wichita, and others posted on X.com, asking for prayers.

“Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare,” Marshall said on X. “A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. There are no words that can make telling this story any easier.”

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) said she was aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National. “I am actively in contact with authorities,” she said on X. “My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available.”

This is the first fatal incident involving a CRJ-700. The aircraft, registered as N709PS, was delivered in October 2004.

The incident comes almost 16 years after the last multi-fatality accident involving a U.S. passenger airline. On Feb. 12, 2009, Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York, as the result of an unrecoverable stall. The accident killed 50 people, including one on the ground.

The last major accident at DCA took place on Jan. 13, 1982, when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th St. Bridge over the Potomac River, killing 78 people.

—Molly McMillin contributed to this report from Wichita.