Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River on Jan. 30, 2025, after a plane on approach to Reagan National Airport collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the river near Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | Afp | Getty Images
There were no survivors after an American Airlines regional jet with 64 people aboard collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter moments before the airplane was set to land at Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said. The accident was the worst air disaster on U.S. soil since 2001.
Hundreds of first responders have switched to a recovery operation from rescue efforts, Washington D.C.’s Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said in a press conference on Thursday morning. Donnelly said at least 28 bodies have been recovered so far: 27 from the jet and one from the helicopter.
Both aircraft plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River. First responders including divers worked overnight to try to recover victims, battling choppy, icy waters and high winds.
Sixty passengers and four crew members were on board the American flight. Three people were on board the military helicopter, an official said.
American Eagle Flight 5342, an PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jetliner, was on approach into the airport’s Runway 33 when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter at around 9 p.m. ET, the FAA said. The flight was arriving from Wichita, Kansas and flying at an altitude of about 300 feet at the time of the collision, according to FlightRadar24.
PSA Airlines is an American Airlines subsidiary and one of its regional carriers. American Eagle is how the airline brands its regional flights.
Rescuers on boats work as the sun rises at the site of the crash in the Potomac River after a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle flight 5342 approaching Reagan Washington National Airport collided and crashed outside Washington, U.S., January 30, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, two days into the job, said the American Airlines jetliner was in three sections in the Potomac.
The accident hands President Donald Trump a crisis less than two weeks into his new term as the accident ends the country’s more than decade-long stretch without a deadly commercial passenger crash.
“Everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely, that when you part an airport, you get to your destination,” Duffy said in a press conference Thursday. “That didn’t happen last night, and I know the President Trump his administration, the FAA, the DOT, you will not rest until we have answers for the family and for the flying public.”
Duffy said that he thought the accident was preventable.
A helicopter flies near the crash site of the American Airlines plane on the Potomac River after the plane crashed on approach to Reagan National Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom traveled to Washington, D.C., Wednesday night.
“I want to express my sincere condolences for the accident that happened last night. Were absolutely heartbroken for the family members,” he said at the same press conference. “Our focus right now is to support all of those involved and also the PSA airlines team.”
He said the American flight was at final approach and “at this time, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft.”
Isom said the captain of the American Eagle flight had about six years with PSA and the first officer had about two years. The plane was on a “standard” approach, he added. “That’s about all I can say.”
The airline provided contact information if “you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342.”
American and Russian figure skaters were on board the flight, according to the countries’ official groups.
Reagan Washington National was closed Wednesday night and was expected to open at 11 a.m. ET Thursday. Officials said airlines would communicate any schedule changes to passengers.
A flight information board shows cancelled flights at the Reagan National Airport as rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River after an American Airlines plane crashed on approach to Reagan National Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Kayla Bartkowski | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The airport says its main runway is the busiest in the country.
The U.S. has had a long stretch without fatal commercial passenger airline crashes. The last U.S. commercial passenger airline crash occurred in February 2009 when Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a house as it was arriving in Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground.
The crash of that turboprop plane prompted federal regulations requiring more rest and training for pilots.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating Wednesday’s accident.
President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the accident Wednesday.
“Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders,” he said in a statement.
Emergency personnel work near the site of the crash, with the U.S. Capitol in the background, after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed in the Potomac River, U.S. January 30, 2025.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
The Federal Aviation Administration does not have a permanent head. Former Administrator Mike Whitaker stepped down on Jan. 20, when Trump took office. Trump hasn’t yet named a nominee.
“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic accident at DCA tonight,” said the Air Line Pilots Association, a pilot union. “Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and ALPA’s accident investigation team is responding to assist the National Transportation Safety Board in their investigation.”
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Correction: A previous headline on this story has been updated to correct a typographical error.