Plane crashes into Potomac River after collision with Army Black Hawk near Reagan National Airport: Live updates

Plane crashes into Potomac River

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An American Airlines regional jet carrying 64 people collided mid-air with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday evening, according to federal officials, stopping flights in and out of Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport.

The helicopter was flying with a crew of three and had no senior Army officials onboard, officials said. The status of the crew could not immediately be confirmed.

“Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA,” Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas wrote on X. “I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

American Airlines confirms plane was en route from Wichita to DC

The American Airlines plane involved in the crash on Wednesday evening was en route from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, DC, the airline confirmed in a statement.

It also confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were onboard the flight.

“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 spokesperson said.

“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.”

Maroosha Muzaffar30 January 2025 04:32

Divers and helicopter search Potomac for survivors

Passenger Airline Crash in Washington DC (EPA)

Scores of first responders, including divers, police officers, and a search helicopter are scouring the area around Ronald Reagan airport, where a passenger plane plunged into the nearby Potomac River on Wednesday night.

Josh Marcus30 January 2025 04:14

Flight that crashed had 64 onboard: American Airlines

American Airlines has shared this update on the passengers inside the Washington-bound jet that collided with a military helicopter on Wednesday evening outside of Ronald Reagan airport.

“There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft,” the airline wrote in a statement. “Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”

Josh Marcus30 January 2025 04:11

Army helicopter wasn’t carrying senior officers: military

The Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in this evening’s crash had a crew of three and was not carrying any senior Army officials, the military said.

Josh Marcus30 January 2025 04:09

Trump prays for those in Washington plane crash

Donald Trump has been briefed about Wednesday’s plane crash near Reagan airport.

“May God Bless their souls,” Trump said, according to a White House statement. “Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”