A tragic Reagan Airport midair collision occurred Wednesday night when an American Airlines regional jet carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Reagan National Airport. The midair collision at Reagan Airport resulted in the aircraft crashing into the Potomac River, prompting a massive search-and-rescue operation. Authorities have reported multiple fatalities.
Reagan Airport Midair Collision: Details and Causes
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the crash took place around 9:00 p.m. EST. American Eagle Flight No. 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was on final approach to Reagan National Airport when it collided with a military Sikorsky H-60 helicopter on a training mission. The helicopter was assigned to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Authorities have not provided an official death toll, but law enforcement sources indicate that at least 19 bodies have been recovered, with no survivors found. Washington, D.C.’s emergency chief, John Donnelly, described the difficult conditions facing rescuers, including freezing waters, wind, and poor visibility.
Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to specify the number of victims but emphasized, “We are going to recover our fellow citizens.”
Eyewitness Accounts of the Reagan Airport Midair Collision
Witnesses described seeing sparks and flashes in the sky before the aircraft plunged into the river. “It looked to me like a giant Roman candle,” said Ari Schulman, who was near the scene. Video footage from a livestream camera at the Kennedy Center captured the moment of the explosion over the Potomac.
Reactions and Investigation
President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy, stating he had been “fully briefed” and offering prayers for the victims and their families. He later questioned whether the crash could have been prevented, calling it a “bad situation.”
Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas expressed his condolences, stating, “When one person dies it’s a tragedy, but when many, many people die, it’s an unbearable sorrow.”
Federal and local authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the Reagan Airport midair collision. The FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Congress are involved in reviewing the circumstances surrounding the disaster. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom confirmed that a team had been sent to Washington, D.C., to assist with the response.
Impact on Air Travel Following the Reagan Airport Midair Collision
Following the crash, all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport were suspended. Flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport, while the Washington, D.C. metro system extended its operating hours to accommodate displaced travelers.
Aviation Safety Concerns After the Collision
This accident marks the first major U.S. commercial aviation disaster in nearly 16 years. The last such incident occurred in 2009 when a Continental Airlines flight crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing 49 people. The last major American Airlines crash was in 2001 when Flight 587 crashed near JFK Airport, resulting in 265 deaths.
Conclusion
As investigations continue, the aviation community and the nation mourn the loss of those aboard the ill-fated flight. Authorities are expected to release further details as recovery efforts proceed.