Recovery efforts underway after a deadly crash between an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
Washington, D.C., January 30: Authorities have confirmed that the midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River has resulted in a total loss of life, with all 67 people aboard both aircraft presumed dead.
“We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,” said DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly during a press briefing at Reagan National Airport.
Fatal Collision: What Happened?
🔹 Involved Aircraft:
- American Airlines Flight 5342, a regional jet carrying 64 people (60 passengers, 4 crew).
- A US Army Black Hawk helicopter, on a training mission with 3 soldiers on board.
🔹 Incident Details:
- The passenger jet was approaching Reagan National Airport when it collided midair with the military helicopter.
- Both aircraft crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
- Recovery teams have retrieved 28 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter so far.
American Airlines CEO Points to Possible Military Error
At the press conference, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom appeared to shift blame onto the Black Hawk helicopter, stating:
“At this time, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft.”
Wreckage & Recovery Operations
🚨 Wreckage Update:
- The aircraft fuselage broke into three sections upon impact.
- The plane’s fuselage was found overturned in waist-deep water.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have begun investigations.
🚨 Flight Disruptions:
- Reagan National Airport was closed following the crash, with all flights grounded.
- 19 airborne flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport.
- Airport operations are expected to remain suspended until at least 11 AM ET Thursday.
President Trump Reacts: “This Should Have Been Prevented”
In a statement on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump offered condolences to the victims’ families while criticizing the preventability of the disaster.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.”
The collision has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, with questions mounting over air traffic control protocols and possible pilot errors.
Investigators Now Face Critical Questions:
🔹 Did air traffic controllers fail to detect the collision risk?
🔹 Was the military helicopter given clearance in civilian airspace?
🔹 Were the pilots aware of each other’s presence before impact?
As recovery operations continue, the FAA and NTSB are set to analyze flight data, communication logs, and eyewitness reports to determine the exact cause of this devastating crash.