The collision occurred around 9:00 p.m. local time as American Eagle Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching the airport. The Black Hawk helicopter, on a training mission from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, had three soldiers on board.
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Emergency teams rushed to the scene, battling the frigid waters of the Potomac River to locate survivors. By early Thursday morning, at least 18 bodies had been recovered, though the total number of casualties remains unknown. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there are any survivors.
All takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport were halted following the crash. President Donald Trump reacted to the tragedy on Truth Social, calling it “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.” Vice President JD Vance has also been briefed on the situation, and both have extended their condolences to the families affected. The FAA and NTSB are now investigating the cause of the collision to determine what went wrong.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed deep sorrow over the incident, assuring the community that every effort is being made to assist in rescue operations. The crash has drawn comparisons to the 1982 Air Florida disaster, which also saw a plane plunge into the Potomac River.
As the nation mourns, investigators are working to uncover the circumstances surrounding the collision. More details are expected to emerge in the coming days as authorities continue their efforts to understand and respond to this devastating event.
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