An American Eagle regional jet collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter on final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on January 29, 2025, resulting in a catastrophic crash into the Potomac River.
American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) to DCA with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard a Bombardier CRJ-700, registered N709PS.
At approximately 10:00 p.m. local time, while on final approach to runway 33, the aircraft collided midair with a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter before plummeting into the river near the airport.
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Durant la nuit, un bombardier CRJ700 de la compagnie PSA Airlines est entré en collision avec un hélicoptère de transport militaire H-60.
La scène s’est déroulée à Washington. pic.twitter.com/yaQOwewVIC
— Antoine 🇫🇷 (@thetoitoi) January 30, 2025
The Black Hawk, a VH-60M variant, bore registration 00-26860 and belonged to the 12th Aviation Battalion, the unit responsible for VIP transportation of military personnel in the Washington, D.C. area.
“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,” the US Army said in a statement shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,” American Airlines said in an official statement. “We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”
At least 18 bodies have been recovered, a police official told CBS News. The extent of casualties remains unconfirmed.
Photos appear to show a plane wing and part of the fuselage in the Potomac River.
Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/fKn8znVmQY
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 30, 2025
“We are not expecting flights to resume until at least 11 a.m. today,” Reagan Airport said in a statement. “We will update if this changes.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the collision, with the NTSB taking the lead.
