On an evening fraught with tragedy, a regional jet under American Airlines collided midair with a Black Hawk military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident occurred on Wednesday night, making it potentially the gravest aviation disaster in the United States in over fifteen years.
Around 9 p.m. Eastern Time, American Eagle Flight 5342—a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines—was preparing to land on Runway 33. At just 300 feet in the air, it tragically encountered a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. This ill-fated flight was coming in from Wichita, Kansas. PSA Airlines functions as a regional subsidiary for American Airlines, which operates its regional routes under the American Eagle banner.
Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, conveyed in a heartfelt video that he plans to head to Washington, D.C., along with a specialized response team. The aircraft in question held sixty passengers and four crew members at the time of the accident.
“Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of those aboard the aircraft,” proclaimed American Airlines in their official statement. “We are actively communicating with authorities and contributing to emergency response efforts.” The airline also shared information for those concerned about loved ones who might have been on Flight 5342.
Following the incident, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was closed and is expected to remain so until at least 5 a.m. Eastern Time Thursday, according to the FAA.
On the ground, chaos reflected in visuals from social media as emergency responders swarmed the scene, including one aircraft confirmed to be in the Potomac River. The U.S. Army identified the second aircraft as its helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and stated that they are cooperating with local officials, promising further details as available. The helicopter had been on a “training flight,” according to military sources. The question of casualties remains unresolved at this time.
It has been a long-standing record of safety for U.S. commercial aviation, with no fatal crashes since February 2009 when Continental Flight 3407 met a tragic fate in Buffalo, New York, resulting in 50 fatalities. That previous disaster had led to revamped federal pilot training and rest requirements.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are now deeply entrenched in probing Wednesday’s catastrophic collision.
From the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump acknowledged being briefed on the incident, expressing gratitude for the dedication of first responders. Meanwhile, questions directed to the Transportation Department were rerouted to the FAA since Sean Duffy, having just assumed the role of Transportation Secretary earlier this week, could not provide immediate commentary. Uniquely, the FAA currently lacks a permanent acting leader after the departure of former Administrator Mike Whitaker coincided with the beginning of the Trump administration, who has yet to announce a new nominee for the post.
“This heartbreaking accident at DCA deeply shocks and saddens us,” expressed the Air Line Pilots Association. The union emphasized their solidarity with those impacted and confirmed that their accident investigation team is collaborating with the National Transportation Safety Board.
This situation remains fluid, and developments are ongoing. Stay tuned for more information as the story unfolds.
