A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River following a midair collision
Emergency vehicles stage at Reagan National Airport, Jan. 29, 2025 © AP / Kevin Wolf
A civilian airliner carrying 60 passengers and four crewmembers collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at around 9 pm local time. Flight 5342, operated by PSA – a subsidiary of American Airlines – was on its final approach to Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at the time of the disaster, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The US Army’s Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, according to US defense officials. The exact number of fatalities remains unclear as emergency personnel from multiple agencies continue the search for possible survivors.
The FAA announced that Reagan Washington National Airport was temporarily shut down following the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash.
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30 January 2025
07:48 GMT
US Figure Skating confirmed that “several” figure skating athletes, coaches, and family members returning from a development camp held alongside the US Figure Skating Championship in Wichita were among the passengers on the American Airlines plane.
“We are devastated by this tragedy and hold the victims’ families in our hearts,” US Figure Skating said in a statement.
“Praying for all those on the flight from Wichita to DC. Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. Absolutely heartbreaking,” Team USA pair skater Luke Wang wrote on X.
- 07:37 GMT
World champions in figure skating from Russia were on board the crashed plane, TASS news agency reported, citing an unnamed source.
Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, a married couple, won the pair event in 1994.
Source: Social media
FILE PHOTO © Sputnik / Vladimir Rodionov
- 07:23 GMT
Several US figure skaters and coaches were reportedly on board the plane that crashed while traveling from Wichita to Washington, DC, according to the Kansas City Star, which cited US pair skater Luke Wang.
The skaters were returning from the US Figure Skating Championships, which took place in Wichita on January 20-26, with some athletes remaining in the city until January 28.
Several Russian figure skaters and former Russian coaches were also believed to be on board, according to sports agent Ari Zakaryan, who spoke to Russian broadcaster Match TV.
Zakaryan confirmed that Russian nationals were among the passengers but refrained from naming individuals, stating, “We are still finding out, I can’t say much. But we know our people were there. You’ll see everything soon.”
- 07:05 GMT
US officials did not confirm any deaths while speaking to reporters at Reagan National Airport, according to AFP.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has declined to say whether any bodies were recovered, or comment on the submerged aircraft’s condition.
When asked about survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said: “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran called the crash “a very personal circumstance” for Kansans, saying many will know those on board and their families.
He pledged support for the rescue effort and vowed to keep Congress engaged in the investigation.
- 06:47 GMT
The investigation into the crash is expected to take longer, with search-and-rescue efforts continuing under “dangerous” conditions in the water, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. told reporters.
“The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in,” he said, adding that the recovery operation could take several days.
“If you can imagine, the river is a large black spot at night with no lights on it, except for a few buoy lights,” Donnelly stated, describing the scene at night.
© RT
- 06:25 GMT
About 300 responders are conducting a search-and-rescue operation in the Potomac River, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. has said at a press conference at Reagan National Airport.
The first units arrived at 8:58pm local time after an alert was issued at 8:48pm, finding an aircraft in the water and beginning rescue efforts, according to Donnelly. “The conditions out there are extremely rough,” Donnelly said, adding that it is cold and windy.
- 06:23 GMT
New details have emerged about the final moments before the crash. Minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the plane if it could use a shorter runway at Reagan National, and the pilots agreed, according to the AP. Flight tracking shows the jet adjusting its approach.
Less than 30 seconds before impact, a controller asked the US military helicopter if it saw the plane. Moments later, the controller instructed: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds later, they collided. - 05:44 GMT
US President Donald Trump has reacted to the tragic midair collision over the Potomac River on his social media platform Truth Social, questioning how the accident occurred on a “CLEAR NIGHT.”
“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,” he wrote.
Trump has criticized air traffic control, asking, “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane?” Calling it a preventable disaster, he concluded, “NOT GOOD!!!”
- 05:36 GMT
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed “sorrow” for the victims of the crash as he prepared to travel to Washington, DC. “This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines,” he said, emphasizing support for passengers, crew, and families.
He confirmed that American is working with authorities and has a “go team” en route. “Our cooperation is without pause,” Isom stated, adding that efforts remain focused on assisting those affected by the tragedy.
- 05:20 GMT
18 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River following the midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter with three military personnel on board, CBS News has reported.
Other media outlets, including The Washington Post, have reported that multiple bodies have been recovered from the water. No survivors have been found so far, according to the newspaper.
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