14 hours Ago By ABC News
An American Airlines regional jet went down in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after colliding with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, Wednesday night, prompting a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation, according to officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary information indicates a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with the helicopter while on approach to the airport around 9 p.m. local time.
The plane departed from Wichita, Kansas. Latest Developments DCA airport closed until Friday morning Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m.
, per the FAA. American Airlines Flight 5342 involved in crash American Airlines Flight 5342 was involved in the collision, the airline said. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines.
The airline confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board. Those who may have loved ones on the flight can call 800-679-8215, American said. "Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft," the airline said.
"We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts." Trump releases statement on crash President Donald Trump released a statement about the crash. "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," he said.
64 total aboard plane Multiple sources have confirmed to ABC News that 60 passengers and four crew were aboard the jet. -ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Aaron Katersky 1st major commercial crash in US since 2009 This marks the first major commercial crash in the United States since the Colgan Air crash in Buffalo, New York, in 2009, when dozens of people were killed. The last fatality on a plane was when a woman was partially sucked out of a window during a Southwest flight in 2018.
-ABC News' Sam Sweeney Black Hawk was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia: Army The Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, according to an Army official. "We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available," the official said. -ABC News' Luis Martinez Frigid conditions in Potomac The water temperature in the Potomac River is approximately 36 degrees amid the search and rescue effort.
The air temperature at the time of the crash was 50 degrees with winds gusting 25 to 30 mph. 3 soldiers aboard the helicopter: Defense official There were three Army soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, according to a defense official. That would be the standard size of the crew for a helicopter of this type.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez No senior Army leaders aboard the Black Hawk: Officials No senior Army leaders aboard the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with the regional aircraft, a defense official with knowledge of the investigation told ABC News. -ABC News' Luis Martinez Transportation secretary monitoring the incident from FAA HQ Sean Duffy, who was confirmed as the secretary for the Department of Transportation on Tuesday, added a post acknowledging the crash on X. In the post, he noted that he was posting from the headquarters for the Federal Aviation Authority in Washington, D.
C. "I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation," Duffy wrote. Click here to read the rest of the blog.
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