|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BFMG) — A devastating midair collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk resulted in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River on Wednesday night, prompting an extensive rescue operation amid extreme weather conditions.
The commercial flight, a Bombardier CRJ-701ER operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Eagle, was on final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) when it collided with the military helicopter. The Black Hawk, which was conducting a training mission, had departed from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with three service members on board. American Eagle Flight 5342 was carrying 64 people, including four crew members.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
At 8:48 p.m. EST, emergency responders were alerted to the collision, triggering a large-scale response from D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Metro Washington Fire, U.S. Park Police, and other agencies. More than 300 first responders, including police and fire boats, Coast Guard personnel, and dive teams, were deployed as part of a unified command search and rescue effort.
“The conditions are extremely challenging, with freezing temperatures, strong winds, and limited visibility,” said John Donnelly, Chief of D.C. Fire and EMS. “Our teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover the aircraft.”
Authorities confirmed that both aircraft were in the water, with divers searching the murky depths of the Potomac. Search efforts have been hindered by ice and rough currents, complicating access to the wreckage.
Airport Closures and Flight Diversions
All flights and operations at Reagan National Airport were immediately suspended, with 19 aircraft diverted to nearby airports. Officials projected a reopening by 11 a.m. EST on January 31, though that timeline remains fluid as the investigation continues. There have been no reported impacts on flights at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Jack Potter, CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, announced that American Airlines has set up a family assistance center at Reagan National and established a hotline for concerned relatives at 1-800-679-8215. “We are doing everything in our power to support affected families,” Potter said. “Our thoughts are with those impacted by this tragedy.”
Federal and State Officials Respond
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy extended his condolences and thanked emergency responders. “We are in close coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as they lead the investigation,” Duffy said. He confirmed conversations with former President Donald Trump, as well as the governors of Virginia and Kansas, regarding response efforts.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), chair of the Senate Aviation Committee, also addressed the incident. “We are praying for the safety of the first responders and the recovery of passengers,” he said. “This flight has been a vital connection for Kansas travelers, and this is a heartbreaking moment for all involved.”
The NTSB has dispatched investigators to the crash site and is expected to release preliminary findings in the coming days. Officials from the FAA and the Department of Defense are assisting in the probe, which will examine air traffic control communications, flight data, and potential contributing factors leading up to the collision.
Witness Accounts and Air Traffic Control Records
Preliminary air traffic control audio reveals that less than 30 seconds before impact, controllers had cleared the Black Hawk for “visual separation” from Flight 5342. The helicopter’s crew acknowledged the directive and appeared to have the jetliner in sight. Moments later, the collision occurred, sending debris into the river and cutting off Flight 5342’s transponder signal.
Eyewitnesses, including nearby pilots and observers, described a fiery explosion as the helicopter fell rapidly into the water. A webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts captured the moment of impact.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Rescue and recovery operations remain the immediate focus, though officials caution that the extreme conditions may slow progress. The Coast Guard and additional air assets from Maryland have been requested to aid the search.
As authorities work to determine the cause of the collision, families and loved ones of those aboard Flight 5342 and the military helicopter are awaiting answers. “We wish there was more we could do,” said Moran. “We will have to join arms together in support.”
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. American Airlines CEO release this statement shortly after the crash.
