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Topics: US News, Travel, American Airlines
Anish Vij
An American Airlines passenger jet has collided mid-air with a US army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington DC.
The PSA Airlines jet, operating as American Airlines 5432, collided with the helicopter around 21:00 local time on Wednesday (29 January). The Bombardier CRJ700, departed from Wichita, Kansas and collided with a Sikorsky H-60 that had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
CBS reports that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board the passenger plane, and at least 19 bodies have been recovered so far.
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Here is the audio from an airline official who witnessed the aftermath of the devastating crash:
All take-offs and landings from the airport were halted as helicopters flew over the scene in search of survivors, while inflatable rescue boats were launched into the nearby Potomac River.
"The accident happened in the river," an official said in the audio obtained by the outlet. "Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river."
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NBC has also reported what a controller said after they'd witnessed what happened shortly after the incident.
"It was probably out in the middle of the river. Um, I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven't seen anything since they hit the river," they said. "But It was a CR-J and a helicopter that hit, I would say a half-mile of the approach."
According to CNN, another pilot can be heard saying 'we saw flares from the opposite side of the Potomac' after witnessing the collision, while an approach controller added: "Apparently both aircraft involved are in the river, a search and rescue will be ongoing."
Roy Best, a federal employee, claims he was on the rooftop of his building located next to the airport when the collision took place.
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He told CNN: "It was just a loud noise. So I turned to the side, and I saw a big spark. And then just something falling. Because it was kind of dark. Couldn't really tell what it was. I didn't know if it was a firecracker or what."
President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the 'terrible accident'.
He thanked first responders for their 'incredible work,' noting that he was 'monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise', adding: “May God Bless their souls.”
“Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening,” Vice President JD Vance wrote on X.
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“We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best.”
"American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700," American Airlines said in a statement.
"There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.
"Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts."
LADbible Group has contacted American Airlines for an update.
This is still to be determined, with the black boxes from both the helicopter and plane vital to establishing what was going on in the build up to the fatal collision.
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All we know at this stage is that the passenger plane and military helicopter collided as the plane was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport's Runaway 33 to land.
It has been confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew were on American Airlines flight 5342, while three people were on board the helicopter.
US Figure Skating, which is the American governing body for the sport, has announced that a number of athletes and coaches were on board the fateful flight.
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, issued a response to the incident as he explained he was travelling to DC with a specialist team to aid the investigation.
In a statement, the businessman said: "This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.
"I know that there are many questions. At this early stage, I'll not be able to answer all of them, but I do want to share the information I have at this time."
President Trump described the incident as a 'bad situation' that 'should have been prevented'.
"The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport," he wrote on Truth Social.
"The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn't the helicopter go up or down, or turn.
"Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!! What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!"
During a press conference, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said his team 'don't know' if they'll find anybody alive, explaining that weather conditions were making the rescue operation tougher.
"There is wind. There are pieces of ice in the water... And because there is not a lot of light, you are out there searching every square inch of space," he said.
"These are very tough conditions for [rescuers] to dive in."