A passenger plane and a military helicopter collided in mid-air near Ronald Reagan National Airport, leading to a major emergency response and the temporary closure of the airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the incident happened around 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The collision involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as an American Airlines flight, and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Reports indicate that the passenger plane had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, while the military helicopter carried three personnel. Emergency teams quickly arrived at the scene, including rescue boats and vehicles.
A witness described the response as overwhelming, noting, “This is the main local airport serving the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. We believe that both aircraft are in the river, which is of enormous concern. We were told that, at best, someone could survive about an hour and a half in this water.”
Authorities have not yet provided official details regarding casualties. However, video footage circulating on social media appears to show the moment of impact, followed by a fireball.
Initial reports suggest that an air traffic controller had instructed the helicopter to pass behind the approaching passenger plane just moments before the crash. Investigators are now examining whether this played a role in the accident.
Government officials have been briefed on the situation. President Donald Trump said he had been “fully briefed” on the “terrible accident.” Senator Ted Cruz confirmed that there were fatalities but did not specify the number.
The FAA has announced that Ronald Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least 5 a.m. on Friday as authorities continue their investigation. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Department of Defense are working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
If confirmed, this would be the first fatal accident involving a US commercial airline since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York, killing 49 people.
Ronald Reagan National Airport, located just a few miles from Washington, DC, is a major hub for domestic travel, and the closure is expected to impact flights across the country.
