American Airlines passenger jet with 64 on board crashes into Potomac River after mid-air collision with Black Hawk helicopter

A video web camera captures the moment an American Airlines flight collided in mid-air with a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2025. Used with permission from EarthCam

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 29, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — An American Airlines passenger jet with 60 passengers and four crew members on board crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night after colliding mid-air with a Black Hawk helicopter.

The passenger jet was on approach to Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, at the time of the crash.

According to the U.S. Army, three military personnel were on the helicopter at the time of the collision.

A live-streaming Earthcam web-camera, located at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, captured the moment the two aircraft collided.

VIDEO: EarthCam video used with permission

An online statement by American Airlines confirmed the flight originated in Wichita, Kansas.

“American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700,” the airline statement says.

“There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.

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

“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”

Emergency vehicles line the banks of the Potomac River during rescue operation after a military Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines PSA regional passenger jet on its approach to Washington Reagan National Airport on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

The Federal Aviation Administration also released a statement confirming the crash.

“A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in mid-air with a Sikorsky H-8 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.

“The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We will provide updates as more information comes in.”

NBC4 in Washington, D.C., reported at least four people had been pulled from the water and rushed to a local hospital. Their conditions were unknown.

CNN and other news outlets are reporting there are confirmed fatalities, but the extent of the casualties is unknown at this time.

Graphic: FlightRadar 24

Gephardt Daily will update this breaking story as more information becomes available.

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