Passenger Jet, Blackhawk Helicopter Collide Midair Near D.C. Airport: FAA
January 30, 2025
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A midair collision between a commercial passenger jet and Black Hawk military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., forced air traffic to grind to a halt on Wednesday night.
What To Know
Journalist Yashar Ali reported in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday night that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had confirmed “that a CRJ700 regional aircraft has had a midair collision with a Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter at DCA airport in Washington.” CNN shared similar information.
The commercial aircraft is believed to be an American Airlines flight originating from Wichita, Kansas. The number of potential casualties was unclear at the time of publication. NBC Washington reported that the commercial flight “had about 60 people aboard.”
“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,” American Airlines wrote on X. “We will provide information as it becomes available.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Fox News broadcast on Wednesday night said that President Donald Trump had “been made aware of this situation and, tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C.”
Shortly before news of the collision emerged, the FAA’s Air Traffic Command System Control Center issued a “ground stop” for the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night due to what was labeled simply an “emergency.”
“All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield,” the Reagan airport account wrote in a post to X at 9:12 p.m. ET Wednesday. “The terminal remains open. Will update.”
Around the same time, the D.C. Fire and EMS Department shared the following on X: “Confirmed small aircraft down in Potomac River vicinity Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene.”
What People Are Saying
Senator Roger Marsh of Kansas, in a post to X: “Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare. A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.
“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. I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”
A passenger jet can be seen taking off over the runway threshold lights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on August 12, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images) A passenger jet can be seen taking off over the runway threshold lights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on August 12, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)
This is a developing story and will be updated with additional information.
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