A regional jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a U.S. Army helicopter Wednesday night while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport, sending debris into the frigid waters of the Potomac River and prompting an urgent search-and-rescue operation.
The midair collision occurred around 9 p.m. EST in one of the most tightly monitored airspaces in the world, just over three miles from the White House and the U.S. Capitol. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that American Airlines Flight 5342, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, struck an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on a training flight as it adjusted its approach to the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan.
Video from a nearby observation camera at the Kennedy Center captured the moment two sets of lights appeared to merge into a fireball above the river. Moments before the crash, air traffic controllers had directed the helicopter to pass behind the descending jet, according to radio transmissions. The plane’s radio transponder ceased transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway, approximately over the middle of the river.
Following the collision, air traffic control immediately halted all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National. Helicopters from multiple law enforcement agencies scoured the crash site from above, while inflatable rescue boats launched from the George Washington Parkway to search for survivors.
President Donald Trump stated he had been “fully briefed on this terrible accident,” while Vice President JD Vance urged Americans to “say a prayer for everyone involved.”
As the investigation continues, questions remain about the likelihood of survival for those onboard. The Potomac River was recorded at 36 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Jeff Hersh told USA Today that a person submerged in water between 32 and 40 degrees can typically survive between 30 and 90 minutes, making the timing of the rescue efforts critical.
An Army official confirmed that the involved helicopter was from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and stated that military authorities are working closely with local officials to determine the cause of the collision.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are leading the investigation into the incident, which has forced Reagan National Airport to remain closed until at least 5 a.m. Friday. Further updates on casualties and recovery efforts are expected as the search operation continues.