13 hours ago
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What we know so far
An American Airlines flight operated by PSA has collided with a military helicopter as it was approaching Reagan Washington national airport, the federal aviation administration has confirmed. Here’s what we know so far:
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The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night, American Airlines confirmed. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas.
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The helicopter was carrying three soldiers, multiple news outlets reported, citing US defence officials. They said no senior army officials were onboard.
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All takeoffs and landings were halted at the airport as the rescue operation got underway.
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Dozens of firefighters were “engaged in dive operations” on the Potomac River, Edward Kelly, the general president of the international association of firefighters, said. Ambulances and other rescue workers including from the military, the park police and the DC metropolitan police department also rushed to the scene.
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President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services.
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US senator Ted Cruz said “we know there are fatalities” from the plane and helicopter collision, although he did not say where he had got his information from and there are no confirmed casualties as yet.
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Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem says “every available” coast guard resource has been deployed to help with rescue efforts. In a post on X she wrote:
We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA. We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders. Praying for the victims and first responders.
What we know so far
An American Airlines flight operated by PSA has collided with a military helicopter as it was approaching Reagan Washington national airport, the federal aviation administration has confirmed. Here’s what we know so far:
-
The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night, American Airlines confirmed. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas.
-
The helicopter was carrying three soldiers, multiple news outlets reported, citing US defence officials. They said no senior army officials were onboard.
-
All takeoffs and landings were halted at the airport as the rescue operation got underway.
-
Dozens of firefighters were “engaged in dive operations” on the Potomac River, Edward Kelly, the general president of the international association of firefighters, said. Ambulances and other rescue workers including from the military, the park police and the DC metropolitan police department also rushed to the scene.
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President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services.
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US senator Ted Cruz said “we know there are fatalities” from the plane and helicopter collision, although he did not say where he had got his information from and there are no confirmed casualties as yet.
Here’s a map showing the location of the airport, just next to the Potomac River were rescue workers are now directing their efforts:
Sixty-four people were onboard plane from Kansas, American Airlines confirms
American Airlines has confirmed earlier reports that 60 passengers and four crew members were onboard the flight from Wichita in Kansas to Washington DC. It said in a statement on its website:
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.
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.
Edward Kelly, the general president of the international association of firefighters, says dozens of firefighters are “engaged in dive operations” on the Potomac River. In a post on X he said:
Search and rescue efforts are underway in the Potomac River, with @Local3217, @IAFF36, @IAFFlocal1619, and dozens of other firefighters engaged in dive operations. They’re doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety. Our prayers are with everyone affected.
Donald Trump thanks emergency responders, says he is monitoring 'terrible accident'
US President Donald Trump has issued a statement on the collision saying he has been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services. He said:
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.
Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers, reports say
Multiple media including the New York Times, Reuters and CNN are saying the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers. No senior army officials were onboard, they reported, citing US defence officials.
About 60 people onboard plane that collided with helicopter, sources say
Multiple sources are now saying that about 60 people were onboard the American Airlines plane that collided with the helicopter.
CNN reported that an American Airlines official had told it there were 60 passengers and four crew onboard while a US senator, Roger Marshall, said in a post on X there were “roughly 60 passengers” on the flight.
NBC News also cited a “source familiar with the matter” as saying there were 60 passengers and four crew members onboard.
Earlier White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump “has been made aware of this situation and tragically it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport.”
“The thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved” she added in an interview on Fox News and asked the public to follow direction form law enforcement “as they attempt to save lives”.
The Associated Press is reporting on audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash.
It writes that a controller is heard asking the helicopter, “PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,” in reference to the passenger aircraft.
“Tower, did you see that?” another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision.”
The tower immediately began diverting other aircraft from Reagan.
Newly confirmed defence secretary Pete Hegseth said his department was “actively monitoring” the situation. In a post on X he said:
DoD actively monitoring. Poised to assist if needed. Prayers for all involved.
US senator Ted Cruz says “we know there are fatalities” from the plane and helicopter collision, although he did not say where he had got his information from. In a post on X he said:
I am closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and I will receive a briefing from the FAA tomorrow. While we don’t yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities. Please join Heidi and me in praying for all involved as the search and rescue is underway.
PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the federal aviation administration. According to American Airlines’ website, the jet can carry up to 65 passengers.
American Airlines has said it is aware of reports of “an incident” near Reagan National Airport. In a post on X it said:
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,” American Airlines.
Multiple helicopters, including those from the US park police and the DC metropolitan police department and US military, were flying over the scene of the incident in the Potomac River, Associated Press reports:
DC Fire and EMS said on X that fireboats were on the scene.
Washington, DC, police said on the social platform X that multiple agencies are conducting a search and rescue effort in the Potomac River after an aircraft crash.
Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to join in a fireball.
The airport said emergency personnel were responding to “an aircraft incident on the airfield.”
Opening summary
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the collision of a US military plane with a passenger jet near Washington DC.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Wednesday night that a PSA Airlines regional jet collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Reagan Washington national airport.
PSA-operated flight 5342 for American Airlines had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the FAA. According to American Airlines’ website, the jet has capacity for 65 passengers.
Police said multiple agencies were involved in a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport. There was no immediate word on casualties.
The airport said late on Wednesday that all takeoffs and landings had been halted as emergency personnel responded.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering more information.
We’ll bring you updates as we receive them.
