On the night of January 29, 2025, tragedy struck near Washington, D.C., when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided midair with a military helicopter, resulting in the passenger plane landing in the Potomac River. The incident occurred around 8:48 p.m. ET as the flight was on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Flight 5342 had taken off from Wichita, Kansas at 5:18 p.m. CST and was scheduled to land at DCA at 9:03 p.m. ET. According to records from FlightAware, the flight dropped out of the air during its approach at approximately 8:48 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the midair collision involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter. The authorities deployed rescue crews swiftly to the scene, indicating divers were present in the river, along with fireboats assisting during the rescue operation.
President Trump, through White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, acknowledged the situation on Fox News. She stated, "I have called over to my counterparts at the White House, and I can confirm... it appears... a military helicopter collided with... regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, DC. That's all I can confirm at this point." Leavitt expressed condolences on behalf of the administration, urging the public to await guidance from law enforcement to assist with rescue efforts.
The Potomac River location has become the focus of emergency response efforts, with fire boats reported to be on-site. An official from Washington DC Fire & EMS noted, "Officers were responding and helping with rescue and EMS efforts," though details about the number of passengers or the condition of those involved remain unclear.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is situated just south of downtown Washington, D.C., and is one of the primary airports servicing the nation’s capital, with nearly 1,200 flights conducted daily. The historical significance of the airport, formerly known as Washington National, was solidified when it was renamed after President Ronald Reagan in 1998.
Following the incident, air traffic experts are monitoring potential impact on flights to and from surrounding airports, including Philadelphia International, JFK, and Newark. At present, there are no significant disruptions reported; nonetheless, delays cannot be ruled out as investigations proceed.
While the area braced for updates on this catastrophic event, it serves as a grim reminder of the last major airline disaster recorded in the U.S., which occurred back in 2009, when Continental Flight 3407 crashed, killing all 49 passengers and crew.
First responders are working diligently as details surrounding the crash come to light. The FAA and local authorities are set to conduct thorough investigations to discern the cause of this shocking incident and establish necessary measures to prevent future occurrences.
This startling collision near one of the busiest airports on the East Coast raises many questions. For now, officials urge the public to remain patient as more information is gathered and disseminated.