Washington D.C. Plane Crash: Mid-Air Collision Over Potomac River
A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred on Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. The incident took place around 9 p.m. ET as the passenger jet was approaching Runway 33. The plane, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training flight with three soldiers aboard.
The collision occurred shortly after air traffic control cleared the commercial flight to land. The plane was coming from Wichita, Kansas. Air traffic controllers asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight. Moments later, the controller directed the helicopter to pass behind the CRJ, but there was no response. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided. According to a witness, the collision looked like “white flares” lighting up the sky. Another eyewitness described seeing sparks shooting from the head of the plane.
Search and rescue efforts are underway in the Potomac River, with approximately 300 first responders from the region. The water is about eight feet deep, with wind and pieces of ice, making the operation difficult. As of Thursday afternoon, at least 19 bodies have been recovered. The plane reportedly split in two upon impact, and is now seven feet underwater. Divers recovered two data recorders from the plane. The search is focused on the waters of the Potomac, not overland. The FBI is also assisting local agencies in the response.
Victims of the crash include several figure skaters from the US and Russia, along with their coaches and families. The skaters were part of the National Development Team and had competed at the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, just days prior. Among the passengers were also two flight attendants, confirmed by the Association of Flight Attendants. Russian-born ice skating coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on board. The Kremlin has expressed its condolences to the families of Russian citizens.
Following the crash, Ronald Reagan National Airport was closed, with first flights scheduled to resume on Thursday at 11 am. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said his department would provide all necessary support, and that he had spoken with President Trump about the incident. President Trump also commented on the crash, saying the incident “should have been prevented,” noting the plane was on a “perfect and routine line of approach”. He also questioned why the helicopter did not take evasive action and why the control tower did not direct the helicopter. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated the company is “cooperating fully” with the investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. Aviation experts are scrutinizing how a modern passenger jet with collision-avoidance technology could collide with a military aircraft in such closely monitored airspace. A former RAF pilot explained that military pilots have more freedom in navigation, while civilian aircraft follow fixed flight paths. However, he also said that military pilots are expected to “see and avoid” civilian traffic.