Washington, D.C. – A tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter has claimed the lives of over 30 people after both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The accident occurred on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, as the passenger plane was on final approach to Reagan Washington National Airport.
The American Eagle Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700, was operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines. It had departed Wichita, Kansas, with 60 passengers and four crew members on board. The U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three military personnel, was reportedly on a routine training mission when the two aircraft collided mid-air, leading to one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.
Bystanders along the Potomac River waterfront reported seeing a fireball in the sky moments after the collision.
“I heard a loud bang, looked up, and saw flames before both aircraft disappeared behind the trees,” said one witness. Debris scattered across the river as both aircraft crashed into the freezing waters.
More than 300 emergency responders, including police divers, firefighters, and Coast Guard personnel, were deployed to the scene. However, strong winds, freezing temperatures, and darkness complicated rescue efforts.
So far, authorities have recovered more than 30 bodies, but there is no official confirmation on the number of survivors. Rescue teams fear that hypothermia may reduce the chances of finding additional survivors in the icy waters.
Among those on board the plane were Russian former world ice skating champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, along with several U.S. figure skating coaches and athletes returning from a competition in Wichita. Tributes have begun pouring in from the international sports community.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation into the crash. Initial reports suggest that the Black Hawk helicopter may have unintentionally crossed into the flight path of the commercial jet. Officials are analyzing air traffic control recordings and radar data to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.
As a result of the crash, Reagan Washington National Airport has been closed until at least Thursday morning to allow investigators and rescue teams to continue their work.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the tragedy, calling it a “terrible accident.” In a statement, he expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and thanked the first responders for their dedication and bravery.
While mid-air collisions are rare, they often result in catastrophic loss of life. One of the deadliest incidents in aviation history was the 2006 collision between a Gol Transportes Aéreos flight and a private jet over Brazil, which killed all 154 people on board the commercial aircraft.
Aviation safety experts note that modern air traffic control systems and collision avoidance technology have significantly reduced the likelihood of such disasters. However, when military and civilian aircraft share busy airspace near major airports, the risk of accidents increases, especially under low-visibility conditions.
This crash also brings back painful memories of the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 disaster, where a Boeing 737 crashed into the Potomac River shortly after takeoff from the same airport. That tragedy claimed 78 lives, with only five survivors pulled from the icy waters.
As investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash, families of the victims are anxiously awaiting updates. The airline industry and military aviation authorities are expected to face increased scrutiny over flight safety protocols—especially regarding shared airspace near major airports.
Meanwhile, the rescue and recovery efforts continue, with officials still holding out hope that more survivors may yet be found.
