A mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., sent an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter into the Potomac River, with search efforts ongoing.
Passenger Plane and Military Helicopter Crash Into Potomac
A devastating mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C., when an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ 700, carrying 64 people, crashed into a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during its final approach to Reagan National Airport. The tragic accident, which happened at 8:47 PM local time, sent both aircraft into the icy Potomac River. Emergency teams from Washington, Maryland, and Virginia rushed to the scene, deploying divers and rescue boats. While 18 bodies have reportedly been recovered, authorities have yet to confirm an official death toll. Freezing water temperatures of 2°C significantly diminish survival chances, and recovery efforts are expected to take days.
A jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. pic.twitter.com/0ubgDEW8Fw
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 30, 2025
Investigation Underway Amid National Mourning
The Pentagon launched an immediate investigation into the accident, confirming that the Black Hawk was on a routine training mission. Surveillance footage from the Kennedy Center captured the moment of impact, followed by a fiery explosion. President Donald Trump expressed condolences and praised first responders. This marks the first major U.S. commercial airline disaster since 2009. Search teams have recovered both black boxes, which could provide crucial details on what led to the crash. With Reagan National Airport temporarily shut down, the nation mourns this avoidable tragedy while awaiting answers from aviation authorities.