A devastating midair collision between an American Eagle regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred Wednesday evening, plunging into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The crash has claimed the lives of dozens, prompting a large-scale recovery operation and mourning across the nation.
American Eagle Flight No. 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, from B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was on a training flight with three soldiers aboard, according to the Defense Department.
D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly confirmed Thursday morning that 27 bodies had been recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter. “We don’t believe there are any survivors,” Donnelly stated, shifting the operation from rescue to recovery. The challenging conditions, including cold temperatures and wind, have hampered the efforts.
The Collision and Aftermath
The collision occurred around 9 p.m. Wednesday as the American Eagle flight approached a runway at Reagan National Airport, the FAA reported. A livestream camera at the Kennedy Center captured the moment of impact, showing an explosion near the Potomac River at 8:47 p.m. Eastern. The video has been verified by CBS News.
The impact shattered the plane into multiple pieces, which now rest in 5-8 feet of water, according to CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave. Debris and human remains have washed ashore on the Virginia side of the river. The helicopter, though upside down, appears largely intact.
A dive team has recovered what is believed to be one of the plane’s two data recorders, though it remains unclear whether it is the cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder. Divers have gained access to the aircraft’s cabin, recovering items including luggage.
A Nation Reacts
The tragedy has prompted reactions from national leaders and local officials. In a statement, the former President expressed his condolences and commended the first responders. He later questioned the preventability of the crash in a post on Truth Social. Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon’s monitoring of the situation and its readiness to assist. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas offered prayers for the victims and their families, while Alexandria, Virginia, Mayor Alyia Gaskins expressed condolences and affirmed her city’s support in the regional response.
A Rare Event
This crash marks the first major U.S. commercial air disaster in nearly 16 years. The last such incident occurred in February 2009, when a Continental Airlines flight operated by Colgan Air crashed near Buffalo, New York, resulting in 49 fatalities. The last major American Airlines crash occurred in November 2001 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing 265 people.
The investigation into the cause of the collision is underway, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days and weeks.