Breaking: American Eagle, Helicopter Crash In Washington DC
Breaking news story, details may change. An American Eagle commuter jet crashed with a helicopter at Washington Reagan National Airport on January 29th, 2025.
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American Eagle Collides With Helicopter
Dramatic video and tragic news coming out of Washington DC tonight as an American Eagle CJR 700 collided with a helicopter during short final approach into Washington Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night. American Airlines flight AA5342 inbound from Wichita, Kansas (ICT.) The aircraft was landing but the crash happened before it reached the runway, wreckage spilled into the icy Potomac river.
Footage distributed on X was captured by the Kennedy Center’s live cam:
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
One source reported that the helicopter was a BlackHawk (military) helicopter.
I doubt the CRJ crew even got a warning.
PSA CRJ-700 collides with a Blackhawk helicopter.
One of the few situations that the TCAS anti collision system likely does not protect from, happens. https://t.co/63dNvnP2qv
— Bob Allen (@CaptBob_Nomadic) January 30, 2025
One commenter on the same thread mentioned that AA5342 was on short final for Runway 1 before switching to Runway 33 (bisecting the intended runway) and it’s unknown as to whether that late switch conflicted with the helicopter’s flight path.
Fatalities Reported, Rescue Ongoing
At the time of writing, there was no official number of souls onboard but the aircraft is capable of accommodating up to 70 passengers. Details of the helicopter have not been made available. One source (below) put the number at 60. Other reports have corroborated the 60 passenger number and added four crew to the commercial aircraft, no word on the helicopter.
While the number of fatalities is unknown, there have been some reported. A recovery operation by fire, police, EMS are underway. AlertPage on X noted that there were “rescues made.”
WASHINGTON DC – INITIAL REPORTS FROM THE AIRPORT – 60 SOULS ON BOARD THE COMMERCIAL JET THAT STRUCK A HELICOPTER – SOME RESCUES HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE FIRE BOAT – MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS ARE RESPONDING #BREAKING
— Alertpage, Inc (@alertpage) January 30, 2025
The search for survivors by rescue helicopter is frantically underway. The airport terminal remains open for travelers but all take-offs and landings have been halted, inbound aircraft diverted to nearby alternative airfields.
BREAKING REPORT: An American Airlines regional passenger plane reportedly collided with a helicopter and fell into the Potomac River upon landing at DCA Airport near Washington. Reports suggest the flight is AA5342 from Wichita, Kansas with 60 on board. pic.twitter.com/eW0dDDMCEK
— Sandy Murray (@yoelishyanks) January 30, 2025
It’s been reported that four survivors were rescued:
Breaking News: Rescue Crews have found four survivors from the Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines plane that collided near Reagan National airport. Searchers are also looking for survivors in the Potomac river. Source: NBC 4 DC
–#BreakingNews #PlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/srwbyrMl5T
— Rebecca Aguilar (on Blue Sky & LinkedIn) (@RebeccaAguilar) January 30, 2025
Some tower audio was available via LiveATC with audible gasps. According to our resident 121Pilot, the Black Hawk helicopter was told to maintain visual separation.
Pulled the ATC audio around the time of the reported incident at DCA.
You can hear the audible gasps in the tower. Controller then sent other traffic around.
Via @liveatc pic.twitter.com/aHbp5czPb9
— Ryan Ewing (@FlyingHighRyan) January 30, 2025
Additional audio is here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B6eTKJ8sQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
I’d prefer to avoid too much speculation, but some have stated online that this particular helicopter was used for VIP transport. As of 11PM EST some scanners reported the rescue mission had been called off though, again, it’s unconfirmed.
We can only hope and pray for survivors. We will update this story as details unfold.