A large search-and-rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport after a passenger jet and military helicopter collided midair Wednesday night.What we know:A passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m.Rescue teams are searching the Potomac River for up to 60 people.The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair collision occurred around 9 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, smashed into an Army Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway. Rescue teams are searching for as many as 60 people in the Potomac River, sources tell the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit. The investigative team has learned that at least two bodies have been recovered from the river.Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. Video below shows plane collide with helicopter over Potomac River. 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. President Donald Trump was briefed, his press secretary said, and Vice President JD Vance encouraged followers on the social media platform X to “say a prayer for everyone involved.”The crash is serving as a major test for two of the Trump administration’s newest agency leaders. Pete Hegseth, sworn in days ago as defense secretary, posted on social media that his department was “actively monitoring” the situation that involved an Army helicopter. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, just sworn in earlier this week, said in a social media post that he was “at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.”U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas also released a statement on the “devastating news” of the crash, acknowledging that the plane came from Wichita and was carrying roughly 60 people on board.”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,” he said. “I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”D.C. Fire and EMS said on X on Wednesday night that a small aircraft was down near the airport just outside Washington and that fireboats were on the scene.The airport said emergency personnel were responding to “an aircraft incident on the airfield.”American Airlines released a statement shortly after 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,” the statement read.The incident recalled the crash of an Air Florida flight that plummeted into the Potomac on Jan. 13, 1982, that killed 78 people. That crash was attributed to bad weather.No other details were immediately available.
A large search-and-rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport after a passenger jet and military helicopter collided midair Wednesday night.
What we know:
- A passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m.
- Rescue teams are searching the Potomac River for up to 60 people.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair collision occurred around 9 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, smashed into an Army Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway.
Rescue teams are searching for as many as 60 people in the Potomac River, sources tell the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit.
The investigative team has learned that at least two bodies have been recovered from the river.
Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. Video below shows plane collide with helicopter over Potomac River.
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.
President Donald Trump was briefed, his press secretary said, and Vice President JD Vance encouraged followers on the social media platform X to “say a prayer for everyone involved.”
The crash is serving as a major test for two of the Trump administration’s newest agency leaders. Pete Hegseth, sworn in days ago as defense secretary, posted on social media that his department was “actively monitoring” the situation that involved an Army helicopter. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, just sworn in earlier this week, said in a social media post that he was “at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.”
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas also released a statement on the “devastating news” of the crash, acknowledging that the plane came from Wichita and was carrying roughly 60 people on board.
“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,” he said. “I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”
D.C. Fire and EMS said on X on Wednesday night that a small aircraft was down near the airport just outside Washington and that fireboats were on the scene.
The airport said emergency personnel were responding to “an aircraft incident on the airfield.”
American Airlines released a statement shortly after 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,” the statement read.
The incident recalled the crash of an Air Florida flight that plummeted into the Potomac on Jan. 13, 1982, that killed 78 people. That crash was attributed to bad weather.
No other details were immediately available.
#Plane #crash #reported #Washingtons #Reagan #Airport
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