Late Wednesday, local authorities reported that a passenger plane crashed into an Army helicopter while trying to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C., and then plunged into the Potomac River.
According to DC Fire and EMS (DCFD), on Wednesday evening, an American Airlines plane plunged into the Potomac River.
Just after 8:50 p.m., several calls were received regarding an aircraft accident above the Potomac River close to Reagan National Airport (DCA), according to a joint statement from the DCFD and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a regional plane and a helicopter collided in midair Wednesday evening near Reagan Washington National Airport. Reuters reported the incident.
After taking off from Wichita, Kansas, the PSA Airlines aircraft, registered as American Airlines Flight 5342, was heading towards the airport when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter.
The incident occurred over the Potomac River, which is adjacent to the airport, and involved the aircraft, which has a maximum capacity of 65 passengers.
There was no immediate information on casualties despite authorities launching a search and rescue operation in the river. All takeoffs and landings were momentarily halted at the airport in reaction to the emergency.
More information is being gathered, and the incident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A number of near-miss accidents in recent years have raised major safety concerns, although there hasn’t been a fatal US passenger jet crash since February 2009.
American Airlines recognised reports on social media that PSA-operated American Eagle Flight 5342 was involved in an incident during its flight from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA).
The American aeroplane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, a person with knowledge of the situation told CNBC.
The plane had departed from Kansas. Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto said a helicopter crashed into a 60-person passenger plane in mid-air causing it to fall into the river.
American Airlines statement reads: “We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available”.
Along with the United States Park Police, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue System, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and other law enforcement organisations from neighbouring jurisdictions, fireboats also arrived on the site.
Search and rescue operations in the river were being coordinated by DCFD, MPD, and other agencies, according to officials.
According to Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, DCFD is conducting water rescues and is requesting that people avoid the area to give first responders room to operate. At DCA, all landings and takeoffs were suspended as emergency workers dealt with the situation.
Vice President JD Vance posted the following: X: “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now, let’s hope for the best.”
In an interview with Fox News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump “has been made aware of this situation.” She stated that “it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet.”
The National Transportation Safety Board will now lead the investigation with assistance from the FAA.