Multiple bodies pulled from freezing Potomac river as divers recover plane’s black box: Live updates

Donald Trump believes the crash between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a military helicopter ‘should have been prevented.’

The president initially delivered a statement hoping that God would bless the souls of the victims as emergency services search the Potomac River near the airport for survivors following the incident.

In a post to the Trump-owned Truth Social later in the evening, Trump raised several questions about the crash, which took place at 8.48pm on Wednesday.

‘The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn,’ he asked.

Here is a list of significant US plane crashes in recent years, after a passenger plane with 64 people aboard collided with a military helicopter carrying four and crashed into Washington DC’s Potomac River last night:

• February 12, 2009: A Colgan Air Bombardier aircraft flying from New York to the small town of Buffalo crashes, killing the 49 passengers onboard.
• August 27, 2006: a regional transport plane uses a wrong, unlit runway, rather than the designated one and crashes shortly after taking off from Lexington airport, Kentucky, killing around 50 people onboard.
• December 19, 2005: a Grumman G-73T Mallard hydroplane operated by Ocean Airways, connecting Miami and an island in the Bahamas, crashes into the sea shortly after takeoff, killing both crew members and 18 passengers.
• October 19, 2004: a BAe Jetstream 32 operated by AmericanConnection crashes near Kirksville, Missouri due to poor visibility. Both pilots and 11 out of the 13 passengers are killed.
• January 8, 2003: a US Airways Beechcraft 1900, flying between Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina, crashes into a hangar shortly after takeoff. Both pilots and the 19 passengers onboard are killed.
• November 12, 2001: two months after the September 11 attacks, an American Airlines Airbus A-300, flying from New York to Saint-Domingue, crashes shortly after taking off from JFK airport. The 251 passengers and nine crew members are killed. On the ground, several houses are destroyed or damaged, and five residents killed.
• January 13, 1982: an Air Florida Boeing 737-222 hits a bridge over the Potomac before crashing into the river just after takeoff during a snowstorm. The crash kills 78 people including four motorists who were on the bridge.

The bodies of 19 people have been recovered, according to news outlet CBS, with boats and divers scouring three debris fields.

Among the dead are several members of the US figure skating community, including athletes, coaches and their family members, the sport’s governing body has said.

They had been returning home from the National Development Camp, an advanced training camp for promising young athletes which is held in conjunction with the US Figure Skating Championships, US Figure Skating said..

‘We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,’ it added in a statement.

As many as 15 people on the flight may have been involved in figure skating, according to reports.

First responders have already said they are potentially the worst disaster in Washington DC for decades after a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac.

The crash is reminiscent of a previous tragedy in the Potomac when 78 people were killed in 1982 when an Air Florida flight departing Washington bound for Fort Lauderdale struck a bridge and crashed into the icy river shortly after take-off.

There were 70 passengers and four crew on board, all of whom died, along with four people in vehicles on the bridge.

An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board at the time determined the accident was caused by multiple failures.

They included the crew’s failure to remove excessive ice and snow on the wings and engine of the plane during ground operation.

A man whose wife was on the doomed American Airlines Flight 5342 has revealed his heartbreaking final texts to her before the crash.

Hamaad Raza revealed his 26-year-old wife was on board the tragic flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington when it collided with a military helicopter just before 9pm on Wednesday night.

Emergency services in the city are searching the Potomac River near the airport following the incident.

‘I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now, as we speak. That’s all I can pray for, I’m just praying to God,’ Raza told WUSA9.

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has said a briefing will take place at 7:30am ET (12:30pm UK time) as rescuers continue to search the Potomac river.

The briefing will be streamed live on her X account.

Temperatures in Washington have dropped below freezing as conditions worsen in the Potomac where the search and rescue operation is taking place.

EarlierWashington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said there were ‘pieces of ice’ in the river as rescuers battle the elements in the desperate hope of finding survivors.

The current temperature at Ronald Reagan airport was around 6C (43F) around 3am ET (8am UK time) but that is expected to drop to around 3C (37F) by 6am (11am UK time).

However, the temperature is understood to have reported to have dipped to below freezing in suburbs of the capital.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed the US Army and the Department of Defense have lauched an immediate investigation into the crash involving a military helicopter.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday voiced support for the United States and praised rescue teams after the ‘shocking’ collision of a US passenger jet with a helicopter in Washington.

‘Our condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones. Our words of support go out to President Trump and the American people during this tragic time,’ Zelensky said in a post on social media.

Divers have reportedly recovered one of two black boxes from the American Airlines plane as well as luggage from the cabin.

CBS is reporting the plane broke into multiple pieces and is now up to 8ft deep in the Potomac while the helicopter is upside down but mostly intact.

Here is some footage of the terrifying mid-air crash between a passenger plane and a military helicopter in Washington DC last night.

Around 300 emergency rescuers are now scouring the Potomac to assess the wreckage in what is potentially the worst disaster in the US captial for decades.

Warning – video below may contain upsetting scenes

US Figure Skating, the governing body for the sport in America, has confirmed its athletes and coaches were on board the doomed American Airlines flight 5342.

In a statement, the group said:

These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas

We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.

These are just some of the pictures we can bring you of emergency response teams assessing wreckage in the Potomac.

It is not yet known if there are any survivors after a passenger plane and helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport.

First responders near Reagan National Airport have apparently indicated the ongoing search and rescue operation is quickly moving to a recovery effort as bodies are pulled from the water.

We are yet to receive official confirmation on how many people have been killed but law enforcement sources have said there are a number of fatalities.

CBS have reported that the bodies of 18 people have been recovered. The picture above shows tents have been put in place near the airport.

Speaking from the scene CNN journalist Gabe Cohen said:

I spoke with a law enforcement source just a few minutes ago. He told me that there’s a really somber mood, even at the rescue scene. It feels — certainly not officially — but that we’re sort of moving from that ‘search-and-rescue operation’ into a recovery effort. They have pulled several bodies out. There are fatalities confirmed at the scene. And now we’re just waiting for answers.

While officials wouldn’t give us any information on the recovery, potential survivors, or the fatality count, you could tell it was not good and that, barring a miracle, they were looking at potentially the worst disaster here in Washington in decades.

Air traffic control audio recorded the final moments before and after the crash of an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter after a midair collision in Washington on Wednesday night.

Audio from LiveATC.net, a respected source for in-flight recording, captured the final communications between the three crew members of the helicopter – call sign PAT25 – before it collided with the CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew.

‘PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ,’ an air traffic controller said at 8.47pm (ET) on Wednesday (1:47am on Thursday).

Seconds later, another aircraft called in to air traffic control, saying, ‘Tower, did you see that?’ – apparently referring to the crash. An air traffic controller then redirected planes heading to runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport to go around.

The explosion in midair occurred over the frigid Potomac River near the airport.

‘Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three,’ one of the air traffic controllers can be heard saying in the audio from around the time of the crash.

‘I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach into 33. We’re going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future,’ another controller remarked.

‘Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river,’ a third air traffic controller can be heard saying.

‘It was probably out in the middle of the river,” the controller said. “I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river. But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit.’

Russian figure skaters were aboard the American Airlines plane that crashed near Reagan Washington National Airport, Russia’s TASS news agency has reported.

According to the state-run news agency, coaches Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also among the passengers.

Shishkova and Naumov, who were married, won the world championship in pairs figure skating in 1994.

Their son Maxim, who competed for the United States in singles, was also feared to have been on board the plane.

If you’re just joining us, we have been reporting live updates from Washington DC where a major search and rescue effort was launched last night following a mid-air crash between a military helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet.

Here’s what you need to know:

• An American Airlines passenger jet carrying 64 people crashed into Washington’s Potomac River after colliding midair with a military helicopter on a nighttime training exercise
• The plane was approaching Reagan National Airport at around 9pm (2am GMT) after flying from Wichita, Kansas, when the collision happened
• A US Army official said the helicopter involved was a Black Hawk model carrying three soldiers – their status is currently unknown
• Police have yet to confirm any casualties as a massive search and rescue operation is launched in the Potomac to locate the wreckage of both aircraft
• Witnesses have claimed multiple bodies have been pulled from the water
• President Donald Trump has said he is being fully briefed of the tragedy and appeared to criticise air traffic control as he questioned why the helicopter didn’t ‘go up or down, or turn’
• American Airlines’ chief executive issued a video statement in which he expressed ‘deep sorrow,’ while US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas called the collision ‘nothing short of a nightmare’

An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the frigid Potomac River after a midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.

Here’s what we know about both aircrafts:

• UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter

The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk (pictured) is one of the most ubiquitous and iconic military helicopters, filling multiple roles for the U.S. military, including air assault, general support, medevac, command and control, and special operations support.

The aircraft involved in the Jan. 29 crash was flying with the call sign PAT25 and had three occupants, according to the Aviation Safety Network, a public database of aviation accidents.

More than 5,000 Black Hawks have been built since production began in the mid-1970s.

The Bombardier CRJ700, which can seat about 70 people, is a workhorse of regional commercial aviation. There are about 260 of the aircraft in service, according to Cirium, an aviation data company.

The plane in the Jan. 29 crash was registered N530EA and manufactured in 2010, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. There were 60 passengers and four crew members onboard, American Airlines said. The jet was registered to American Airlines but operated by its wholly owned subsidiary, PSA Airlines.

Bombardier sold the CRJ700 program to a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries subsidiary in 2019. Production of new aircraft ceased in 2020.

Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, said the plane that crashed was flying a route from Wichita to Washington that began about a year ago.

“I know that flight,” he said. “I’ve flown it several times myself.”

Moran said he expected that many people in Wichita would know people who were on the flight.

“This is a very personal circumstance,” he said.

Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least 11am ET Thursday, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Jack Potter said.

Initially, officials expected the airport to stay closed until 5am, but the rescue operation is still well underway.

In addition to the water being dark and murky, officials have now revealed there are still ‘pieces of ice’ in the frigid waters.

“The challenges are access. The water that we’re operating in is about 8 feet deep,” Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.

“There is wind, there is pieces of ice out there. So it’s just dangerous and hard to work in.”

“And because there’s not a lot of lights, you’re out there searching every square inch of space to see if you can find anybody,” he said.

“Divers are doing the same thing in the water. The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in,” he said.

Muriel Bowser revealed in the press conference that officials are not prepared to share a current death toll, or reveal if there are any survivors, tonight.

They hope to provide more information in the morning, but have assured the public and loved ones that rescue efforts will continue through the night, despite the rough conditions.

Sen. Roger Marshall, of Kansas, offered an insight into the scale of the tragedy with his comments.

He said: “When one person dies it’s a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die it’s an unbearable sorrow.”

Loved ones of passengers on board the doomed flight had already arrived at the airport to pick them up, officials said.

Those loved ones are now receiving assistance amid public call outs for others to come forward.

The initial call that the crash had occurred took place at 8.48pm.

Authorities arrived at 8.58pm and immediately set to work trying to search for survivors.

District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly told the public the conditions are ‘extremely rough’ on first responders.

“It’s a highly complex operation, the conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders. It’s cold. They’re dealing with relatively windy conditions,” Donnelly said.

Mayor Muriel Bowser revealed in the early hours of Thursday morning rescue crews are ‘working diligently in cold and dangerous water.’

‘I’m told American Airlines leaderships is on the way to Washington. Officials are in the airport talking to families now.’

CityCruise yachts are now in the Potomac River and appear to be assisting with the search efforts.

Family and friends of passengers in Wichiave ta hinvited to wait for additional information with an incident support team at Wichita Airport, the Kansas city airport posted on X.

“We are waiting for details about the crash in DC and will provide updates as information becomes available,” the post read.

‘This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines,’ Robert Isom said.

‘I know there are many questions and at this early stage I will not be able to answer all of them.

‘We are actively working with local, state and federal authorities… We’re cooperating fully. We want to learn everything we can about today’s events.’

CBS reports that 18 bodies have been pulled from the wreckage so far.

It is understood the site has three main ‘debris fields’ in the water.

According to the publication, there have not been any survivors found at this stage.

High-beam lights have been set up along the western bank of the Potomac River in an effort to help find survivors.

Multiple boats and first responders from across the nation are gathered in the area.

“I’m deeply saddened to learn about the horrific tragedy at Reagan National Airport,” he wrote on X.

“Please join me in praying for everyone involved as well as our first responders.”

The last fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline occurred in 2009 in New York, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane was killed, including 45 passengers, 2 pilots and 2 flight attendants. Another person on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 50.

An investigation determined that the captain accidentally caused the plane to stall as it approached the airport in Buffalo.

Officials have now confirmed the Army helicopter was on a training flight at the time of the collision.

“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 official said.

The airport has been closed until at least 5am, officials say.

According to CNN, fatalities have been confirmed as rescue crews wade through the icy cold waters.

It is understood that no survivors have been pulled from the water so far, but the operation is still a rescue mission.

Hamaad Raza reveals his wife was on board the tragic flight and was texting him as they were landing.

‘I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now as we speak.

‘That’s all I can pray for. I’m just praying to God,’ he said.

Raza revealed his wife text him while on board and told him the plane was ‘landing in 20 minutes.’

He responded to the message, and realized ‘something might be up’ when he noticed it went undelivered.

Hopes are beginning to fade for survivors as rescue crews scour the Potomac River, where the water temperature is just 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

NBC Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said that at the time of the incident the water temperature in the river was around 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

Earlier on Wednesday it dropped as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Kammerer said that at that temperature someone in the water has only 15 to 20 minutes before they start suffering from hypothermia.

The National Weather Service reported that wind gusts of up to 25 mph were possible in the area throughout the evening.

American Airlines said: ‘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.’

Secretary Kristi Noem has revealed: ‘Every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA.

‘We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders. Praying for the victims and first responders.’

According to local reports, the plane has been split in two and is now in a body of water about seven feet deep.

NBC reports: ‘Split in two and is in about 7 feet of water…[T]he helicopter is upside down and is not stable, and it is bobbing up and down.

‘Sometimes it’s underwater, sometimes it’s above, and divers have not been able to make entry into the helicopter yet because of the lack of stability there.’

Edward Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said: ‘Dozens of other firefighters engaged in dive operations. They’re doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety.’

Washington DC resident Abadi Ismail told CNN he heard ‘two unusual bangs, something I’ve never heard of.’

The 38-year-old said it “kind of sounded like a warzone.”

He rushed to his window but by the time he got there there was ‘nothing but a little bit of smoke.’

Now, he said helicopters and boats have ‘lit up the area.’

In audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, a controller is heard asking the helicopter, ‘PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,’ in reference to the passenger aircraft.

‘Tower, did you see that?’ another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision. The tower immediately began diverting other aircraft from Reagan.

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. 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.”

Officials say three soldiers were on board the Black Hawk helicopter at the time of the crash.

None of those on board were senior officials.

According to NBC, four people have been pulled from the water so far.

They have reportedly been taken to North Boathouse Fire Station at Reagan National Airport for further assessment as first responders continue to scour the river.

American Airlines have confirmed there are 60 passengers and four crew on board the plane.

‘A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 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 information comes in.’

American Airlines have released a statement confirming they are aware a PSA plane was involved in the crash.

“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,” American Airlines said in a statement.

A US Army official has confirmed that the passenger plane collided with an Army Blackhawk in the crash near Reagan airport.

‘Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare. 

‘A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter.

My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. 

‘There are no words that can make telling this story any easier. I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident.

‘I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.’

In a statement to CNN, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN President Trump has been made aware of the crash, he is continuing to monitor it from the White House.

She said the Trump administration sends its thoughts and prayers to anyone involved.

‘Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a military jet.’

Vice President JD Vance was among the first to comment on the unfolding tragedy.

He wrote on 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 a statement, DC Police said: ‘At 8:53pm, multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.

‘DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.

The airport said in a post to X: ‘All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update.’

An aircraft has crashed while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport in Washington DC.

Emergency services in Washington DC said that a small aircraft had crashed in the Potomac River near the airport.

Fireboats are currently on the scene scouring the river, with details of the crash including the cause and how many people were onboard still unknown.