Passenger Jet With 64 Collides With Military Helicopter Near Washington Airport; Casualties Feared | Video

Atleast 18 bodies have been recovered after a passenger jet with 64 people on board collided mid-air with a military helicopter near the White House and crashed into nearby water body, last night around 9 p.m. An American Airlines flight, numbered 5342, collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington DC during its landing approach at Reagan Washington National Airport. According to AP, the millitary chopper was on training flight.

According to the DC Fire and EMS Department cited by BBC, the plane crashed into the Potomac River, which flows through DC. Police divers and boats are searching the water for survivors, as US authorities conduct an investigation.

Visuals showed the sky lit up by a huge fireball as both the plane and the helicopter crashed into a river in Washington. 

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A helicopter and a commercial jet collided mid-air at the Reagan Washington National Airport

Prayers for everyone… this is horrible.. 

 the small aircraft crashed into the Potomac River near Washington D.C., leading to a halt in all takeoffs pic.twitter.com/tZ8rZ77i09

— Mary (@Successful4444) January 30, 2025

US President Donald Trump stated that he is monitoring the plane crash that occurred over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport in Washington. "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," the President's office said in a statement.

All takeoffs and landings at Washington DC’s Reagan National Airport have been temporarily suspended. According to the airport's statement on social media platform 'X', "All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update," the airport management said in a post.

Meanwhile, the American Airlines confirmed the incident in a post 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 airlines wrote.