American Airlines jet from Wichita collided with helicopter near DC airport, officials say
American Airlines jet from Wichita collided with helicopter near DC airport, officials say
An airplane collided with a military helicopter while trying to land at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, forcing all takeoffs and landings to be halted, officials said, prompting a large emergency response near the Potomac River.
The crash occurred at about 9 p.m. when a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet "collided in midair" with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, the FAA said in a statement. The plane, operated by American Airlines, had departed from Wichita, Kansas.
Wichita's Eisenhower Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed to KAKE News that there were 60 passengers and four crew on board the flight and three Army soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter.
In a post on X shortly after 9 p.m., the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said an aircraft was "down in Potomac River" and fireboats were currently at the scene. The department later said there was "no confirmed information on casualties at this time."
Local police and other agencies were also responding to the scene, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
"All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA," the Reagan National Airport said in a statement. "Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open."
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President Donald Trump has been made aware of the situation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during an appearance on Fox News Wednesday night.
"Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C," Leavitt said. "The thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved."
American Airlines said it was aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342 was involved in an incident. "We will provide information as it becomes available," the airline said in a statement.
Search and rescue operation
Fire and police officials in Washington, D.C., said multiple calls came in at 8:53 p.m. reporting an aircraft crash "above the Potomac River." Washington, D.C., Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services have joined multiple agencies in search and rescue operations. "There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time," they said in a joint statement.'
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is 'actively monitoring' the situation. 'Poised to assist if needed. Prayers for all involved,' he said in a post on X.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was confirmed by the Senate to his post earlier Wednesday, said, "I am on-site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation."
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, said he is in contact with authorities. "Please join me in praying for all involved," Moran said in a statement.
This is a developing story.
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