American Airlines Plane Carrying 64 People Crashes Midair with Army Black Hawk Helicopter Over Washington, D.C.

• An American Airlines flight collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night.
• The passenger plane had 64 members on board, while the helicopter had 3 soldiers, according to reports.
• The planes collided as they were approaching Runway 33 around 9 p.m. local time.
• President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation

An American Airlines regional passenger plane carrying 64 people collided with a helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The FAA said in a statement that the incident involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. CNN reported that it was an Army Black Hawk helicopter, citing two U.S. defense officials. The New York Times also reported it was an Army Black Hawk helicopter, citing an Army official.

The collision occurred as they were approaching Runway 33 around 9 p.m. local time.

“PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation,” the statement said.

American Airlines confirmed the news in a statement on X.

“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. We will provide information as it becomes available,” the statement read.

American Airlines said in a statement that the plane had 60 passengers and four crew members onboard.

According to CNN, the Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers onboard. “We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available,” a U.S. Army official told CNN.

At least 18 people were pulled from the water and were rushed to hospitals, per CBS News. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser could only confirm the number of passengers on each aircraft during the first press conference after the crash.

The Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that multiple agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River and “there is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.”

DC Fire and EMS added that there are fireboats on the scene. Edward Kelly, the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said on X that “dozens of other firefighters engaged in dive operations.”

John Donnelly, Chief of D.C. Fire and EMS, said during the press conference that this is a state and federal response, and around 300 responders are working on the search and rescue mission. Donnelly was joined at the press conference by Bowser, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Jack Potter, and U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas.

Potter said all Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport flights will be halted until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and the timing remains “fluid.” He also confirmed that “there is no impact” at surrounding airports, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Dulles International Airport.

While speaking to Fox News, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation.

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,” Trump said in a statement.

Vice President J.D. Vance asked for prayers on X.

“Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best,” he wrote.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that his department is “actively monitoring” the situation.