Plane Crash in Washington DC: American Eagle Flight Collides with Military Helicopter

Washington DC, January 30, 2025 — A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday night (Jan 29) at around 9:00 PM local time when an American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport, Washington DC.

Chronology of Events

According to reports, the aircraft, carrying 67 passengers, was in the process of landing on Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport. At the same time, the Black Hawk helicopter, with three crew members, was conducting a training flight in the same airspace. The mid-air collision caused the aircraft to crash into the Potomac River.

Rescue Efforts

Rescue teams were immediately deployed to the scene for search and rescue operations. A large-scale evacuation was carried out in the Potomac River to recover victims from both aircraft.

Impact on Flights

As a result of the incident, more than 100 flights at Reagan National Airport were either canceled or delayed. Data from FlightAware.com shows that 62 flights were canceled, while 59 others faced delays.

Official Statement

The CEO of American Airlines expressed deep concern over the incident and confirmed that the airline is working closely with authorities to investigate the cause of the crash. He also extended his condolences to the families of the victims affected by this tragedy.

Further Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Officials will review flight data, communications between pilots and air traffic control, and weather conditions at the time of the accident.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety procedures, especially in high-traffic airspaces like Washington DC.