Army Black Hawk helicopter collides midair with American Airlines flight at Reagan National Airport
A catastrophic midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia has prompted a massive search and rescue effort. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, leaving authorities scrambling to respond to the tragic event.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. The CRJ-700 aircraft was operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, departing from Wichita, Kansas. There has been no confirmation of casualties or the cause of the collision at this time.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation and expressed his condolences, acknowledging the tragedy unfolding at Reagan National Airport. He praised the efforts of first responders and assured the public that he is closely monitoring the situation for updates.
American Airlines confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the CRJ-700 aircraft, stating that their primary concern is for the well-being of those on board. The airline is in contact with authorities and actively assisting with emergency response efforts.
Three soldiers were on the helicopter at the time of the crash, according to an Army official. The Army identified the aircraft as a UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, which was on a training flight. The UH-60 Black Hawk is a military helicopter capable of carrying up to 15 individuals.
Reagan National Airport reported clear skies, good visibility, and moderate winds at the time of the crash. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are closely monitoring the situation, with the FBI’s National Capital Response Squad and U.S. Coast Guard resources being deployed to assist in search and rescue efforts.
Audio recordings from the air traffic control tower revealed the moments leading up to the collision, with controllers directing the commercial jet to land on a different runway shortly before the incident occurred. Witness videos captured the tragic event, showing a fireball near the Potomac River where the collision took place.
Lawmakers and officials from Kansas, where the American Airlines flight originated, have expressed their condolences and support for those involved in the crash. Senator Roger Marshall and Governor Laura Kelley have extended their prayers and pledged to seek answers about the cause of the collision.
This incident marks the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009 when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, New York. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the Reagan National Airport collision, with the FAA and other agencies providing support.
As the search and rescue efforts continue at Reagan National Airport, the aviation community and the nation as a whole mourn the loss and await further details about the tragic incident.
