Passenger plane crashes into Potomac after mid-air collision with military helicopter

Jan. 29 (UPI) -- An American Airlines jet with 64 people aboard collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Army helicopter carrying three soldiers on approach to Reagan Washington National Airport, crashing into the Potomac River on Wednesday night.

A search-and-rescue operation for potential survivors is underway from the air, ground and sea from federal, states and local agencies.

Some 300 rescuers were working at the scene on the river through what officials said was extremely difficult conditions, specifically dark, ice, wind and cold. According to the National Weather Service, the water temperature is 34 degrees. On X, it said temperatures in the region are to drop below freezing overnight, with lows in the 20s.

Both the military helicopter and the passenger jet were in the river. The jet, a Bombardier CRJ twin-engine aircraft, was reportedly in pieces.

Fatalities have not been confirmed, but authorities and officials implied during an early Thursday press conference from the Virgina airport that many are feared dead.

"When one person dies it's a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die, it's an unbearable sorrow. It's a heartbreak beyond measure," Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said.

Officials said they do not know if there are any survivors.

The operation is expected to continue for multiple days, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Jet, helicopter details

American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, departed from Wichita, Kan., and was on approach to Runway 33 around 8:48 p.m. EST when it crashed with the military aircraft, officials said.

American Airlines said in a statement there were 60 passengers and four crew on the jet. That includes two flight attendants, according to the Association of Flight Attendants.

"Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft," the airline said. "We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts."

The helicopter and crew were based in Fairfax County, Va., and were on a training flight when the crash occurred.

"We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight's incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir during a training flight," spokeswoman Heather Chairez told UPI in an email.

U.S. Figure Skating said several of its athletes, coaches and their family members were on the plane, returning from a National Development camp held in Wichita.

"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts," the organization said in a statement.

Russian state-run media is reporting Russian world figure skating champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were passengers on the plane.

The Reagan Washington National Airport is to be closed until at least 11 a.m. Thursday.

Nineteen flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport, officials said.

Search and rescue

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said "extensive resources" are being deployed to support the search-and-rescue efforts.

"First responders from across Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland mobilized quickly," he said on X, asking for prayers for those involved.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said "every available" U.S. Coast Guard resource is being deployed.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the Army and Department of Defense have "immediately" launched an investigation.

And Sean Duff, who was sworn in as secretary of Transport hours before the crash, said he has directed his department, the FAA and NTSB to provide "full support" to all responding agencies.

Government leaders briefed

President Donald Trump said in a statement: "I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details at they arrive."

In a second statement, Trump questioned the actions of air traffic controllers and the military officers on the helicopter for the crash.

"It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn't the helicopter go up or down or turn. Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Vice President JD Vance said he was also monitoring the situation.

"Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening," he said on X. "We're monitoring the situation, but for now, let's hope for the best."

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said it raised its Emergency Operations Center to "enhanced" status in support.

He posted on X that Maryland State Police have "have deployed divers to the scene to assist with rescue missions."

Both senators from Kansas posted on X.

"Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities," Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran posted. "Please join me in praying for all involved."

"We are in contact with authorities working to get answers," Marshall posted. "We ask you to join us in prayer for every single passenger and their families."

There are no restrictions at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Past crashes in water

On Jan. 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 struck the 14th Street Bridge and went into the Potomac River. Seventy-four of the 79 passengers and crew members died. Four people in vehicles also were killed.

On Jan. 15, 2009, U.S. Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River, shortly after striking birds following takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York City. Five people were seriously injured, but there were no fatalities.

The last commercial plane crash in the United States was Jan. 6, 2013, when Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed in San Francisco. Three people died and 187 people were injured.

On Feb. 12, 2009, Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, N.Y., killing 50 people.