Rescue Efforts Underway After Military Helicopter and Passenger Plane Collide Near Washington, D.C.
A devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C., has drawn national attention, marking the most significant U.S. commercial aviation disaster since 2009. The crash, involving a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet, has prompted a large-scale rescue operation, though freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions are slowing efforts.
Authorities confirmed that American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with the military helicopter near Reagan National Airport on the evening of January 29, 2025. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was nearing its scheduled landing when disaster struck. At 8:53 p.m., emergency calls flooded D.C. police lines, reporting an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.
The Black Hawk, assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was conducting a training mission at the time. Defense officials are still investigating its exact departure location before the collision.
Eyewitnesses Capture the Moment of Impact
Videos from traffic cameras and bystanders captured the harrowing moment the two aircraft collided. An air traffic controller had instructed the helicopter to pass behind the approaching jet, with the pilot acknowledging the request. However, moments later, stunned voices in the control tower recorded the disaster unfolding.
Ari Schulman, an eyewitness driving home at the time, described the scene: “I saw the plane bank sharply beyond 90 degrees. The underside lit up bright yellow with sparks trailing beneath it. Then—darkness.”
A video from EarthCam reportedly shows the impact, followed by an explosion in the sky.
Air Traffic Disruptions and Airport Closures
The crash forced the immediate diversion of 19 flights to Dulles International Airport. Reagan National Airport remains closed until at least 5 a.m. Friday as investigations continue. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is overseeing air traffic control records to determine what led to the collision.
Desperate Search for Survivors
Authorities confirmed that 64 passengers and crew were aboard the American Airlines flight, while three personnel were in the military helicopter. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized the urgency of the search effort, stating, “The focus now is rescuing people.” However, as of this report, officials have not confirmed any casualties.
Families gathered at the airport’s support center, anxiously awaiting news. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter noted that grief counselors were available to assist them. Among those waiting was Hamaad Raza, who had lost contact with his wife moments before the crash. “I’m just praying someone is pulling her out of the river right now,” he said.
High-Profile Passengers Among Those on Board
Several members of the U.S. figure skating community, along with two Russian skaters, were reportedly on the flight. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran acknowledged the deep personal impact on his state, saying, “This is a very personal tragedy for many people connected to the victims.”
Challenges of the Rescue Operation
Search teams are battling treacherous conditions, including near-freezing temperatures, strong river currents, and floating ice. Nearly 300 first responders are working against the clock to locate survivors in the Potomac River.
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly described the operation as “highly complex,” noting that access to the site is difficult. “The water is approximately eight feet deep, with strong winds making recovery efforts hazardous.”
With temperatures in the river hovering around 35°F, hypothermia is a major concern. Cold shock can cause gasping and hyperventilation within seconds, with loss of dexterity occurring in just minutes. Survival times in such conditions range from 30 to 90 minutes, highlighting the urgency of the operation.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office has deployed its Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team (USERT) to aid in the search.
Aviation Disasters in Perspective
This tragic incident marks the deadliest U.S. commercial aviation accident since Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo in 2009, killing 49 people. Other significant crashes include the 2013 Asiana Airlines disaster in San Francisco, which resulted in three deaths and nearly 200 injuries, and the 2018 Southwest Airlines incident, in which a passenger died due to an engine failure.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain committed to recovering victims, supporting affected families, and determining the cause of this catastrophic collision.
