Ronald Reagan National Airport has halted operations due to an “aircraft emergency”
A regional passenger jet operated by the American Airlines’ subsidiary has collided midair with a US military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, prompting the suspension of all flights and a large-scale emergency response.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, was on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter around 9pm local time.
There were “roughly 60 passengers” aboard the plane, according to US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas. The Bombardier CRJ700 typically seats up to 78 passengers, with a standard crew of two pilots and two flight attendants. The Sikorsky H-60 typically carries a crew of three to four, with the capacity to transport up to 11 additional personnel, depending on its configuration. The exact number of individuals on board each aircraft and the number of casualties remain unclear.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the crash, stating that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident.
“Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA Airport right here in Washington, DC,” Leavitt told Fox News. She added that the Trump administration’s “thoughts and prayers” were with those involved and urged the public to follow law enforcement guidance.
“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” Marshall wrote on X.
DC Fire and EMS previously said on X that a “small aircraft” had gone down in the Potomac River near the airport, with fireboats and other emergency personnel responding to the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) also reported an “apparent air crash” and confirmed that multiple agencies were conducting a search and rescue operation in the river.
“A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after an aircraft crash,” MPD stated on X. The department also clarified that its own helicopter was not involved in the incident but was assisting in the response efforts.
The airport announced that all takeoffs and landings were halted due to an “aircraft emergency”. However, the terminal remained open to passengers.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to perform their duties without hindrance.
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