64 Fear Dead As American Airlines Jet  Collides With US Army Black Hawk Helicopter  Midair (Live Update)

What we know now

• A passenger aircraft carrying 64 people collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, DC, as it approached the runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and defense officials.
• There are no confirmed casualties at this time, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. A massive emergency response is underway in DC’s Potomac River, where the passenger plane and helicopter collided.
• The plane, American Airlines Flight 5342 with 60 passengers and four crew members on board, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the airline. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter, according to a US defense official.
• All takeoffs and landings have been halted at Reagan National Airport.

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4 min ago

US Coast Guard deploys “every available” resource toward rescue efforts, Homeland Security secretary says

From CNN’s Alejandra Jaramillo

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says that the department is “deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts” in response to the collision between a passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night.

“We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders,” she wrote on social media. Noem expressed her concern and prayers for the victims and first responders.

6 min ago

Virginia governor says first responders have arrived to help with search-and-rescue efforts

From CNN’s Piper Hudspeth Blackburn

Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Wednesday that first responders from across Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland “mobilized quickly” to assist with search-and-rescue efforts following the plane-helicopter collision into the Potomac River.

“I have been briefed by our Emergency Management team and Virginia State Police about the tragic crash at Reagan National Airport tonight. Extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts,” Youngkin wrote on X.

“First responders from across Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland mobilized quickly. I ask everyone to pray for the passengers, crews, their families, and brave first responders,” he continued.

5 min ago

American Airlines issues hotline for loved ones of those onboard

From CNN’s Ross Levitt

American Airlines issued a hotline for family members and loved ones of those onboard the Flight 5342, collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport.

“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215,” the airline said in a statement.

“Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly,” it added.

The airline said it will continue to release information about the incident as it becomes available.

16 min ago

Emergency vehicles seen rushing to site of aircraft collision

From CNN’s Jillian Sykes

Emergency vehicles could be seen rushing to the scene of the aircraft collision in Washington, DC on Wednesday night.

Sarah Fishel, who lives in a condo close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, said she heard loud sirens and began recording around 9:10 p.m. ET.

“I ran to the roof and immediately saw the response,” she told CNN.

“We hear helicopters all day long living here so it shouldn’t be a shock that helicopters are in the air space. Not sure how this could happen,” she said.

Fishel said the response to the crash was “almost instant.”

12 min ago

Maryland State Police deploys divers to scene of plane-helicopter collision

From CNN’s Mary Kay Mallonee

Maryland State Police have deployed divers to the scene of the plane-helicopter crash in the Potomac River, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday night.

Moore said the Maryland Department of Emergency Management has raised its Emergency Operations Center to “Enhanced” status in support.

16 min ago

“God Bless their souls,” President Trump says following plane collision near Reagan Airport

From CNN’s Christian Sierra

President Donald Trump said he was “fully briefed” on the collision between a passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night.

Trump added that he was “monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

“May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders,” Trump’s statement read.

28 min ago

DC Mayor offers prayers to “everyone involved” in plane collision near Reagan National Airport

From CNN’s Jack Forrest

Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser offered her prayers to “everyone involved” after a passenger jet collided with an Army Black hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night.

“Our prayers are with everyone involved, and we will continue to keep the public updated as more information becomes available,” Bowser said in an X post.

25 min ago

Dozens of firefighters involved in dive operations near crash site

From CNN’s Brian Rokus

Dozens of firefighters are engaged in dive operations at the site of the plane crash in the Potomac River, according to a union official.

“Search and rescue efforts are underway in the Potomac River,” Edward Kelly, the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters said on X.

“They’re doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety. Our prayers are with everyone affected,” he said.

28 min ago

“I heard two unusual bangs.” Witness video shows rescue operations over the Potomac River

From CNN’s Isaac Yee

Video shot by Washington, DC resident Abadi Ismail shows rescue operations over the Potomac River following the mid-air collision of an American Airlines passenger plane with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter.

In the video, helicopters can be seen flying near the scene of the crash with search lights.

“I heard two unusual bangs, something I’ve never heard of,” Abadi, age 38, told CNN, adding that it “kind of sounded like a warzone.”

He immediately rushed to his window after hearing the sounds but said he saw “nothing but a little bit of smoke.”

Abadi said rescue helicopters and boats have now “lit up the area.”

The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. ET, he said.

23 min ago

Black Hawk that collided with passenger plane had 3 soldiers on board and was from Fort Belvoir

From CNN’s Natasha Bertrand and Haley Britzky

The US Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a passenger aircraft had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, according to a US defense official.

Senior Army officials often use Black Hawks for travel in the Washington, DC, area.

The US Army confirmed the plane came out of Fort Belvoir, an Army post in Virginia.

“We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available,” a US Army official told CNN.

32 min ago

Potomac river temperatures in the mid 30s pose severe risk amid cold water warnings

From CNN’s Robert Shackelford and Hanna Park

The National Weather Service has issued a warning about the dangers of plunging into the Potomac River, where water temperatures are currently hovering around 35 degrees, despite air temperatures in Washington, DC, being near 50 degrees.

Sudden immersion in such frigid water, known as cold shock, can trigger immediate physiological responses such as uncontrolled gasping, rapid breathing or hyperventilation, according to the National Weather Service.

“Cold shock can cause an immediate panic, fear or stress reaction that then impairs clear thinking and decision making,” the weather service cautioned. These reactions, coupled with a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, can heighten the risk of heart failure or stroke, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

The dangers escalate with prolonged exposure. Hypothermia begins when the body’s core temperature falls to 95 degrees, a process that can start within moments in water this cold. In 35-degree water, individuals may lose dexterity in as little as three minutes, with unconsciousness occurring within 15 to 30 minutes, according to the weather service. Survival times in such conditions are estimated to range between 30 and 90 minutes.

“Since water conducts body heat away up to 26 times faster than air of the same temperature, the cold water rapidly causes extremities to become numb, weakening the ability of muscles to work effectively,” the weather service warned, underscoring the life-threatening risks posed by the river’s near-freezing temperatures.

37 min ago

US defense secretary says department is “poised to assist if needed” after plane-helicopter collision

From Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Alejandra Jaramillo

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Department of Defense is monitoring developments after a US Army helicopter collided with a passenger plane on approach to Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.

“DoD actively monitoring. Poised to assist if needed. Prayers for all involved,” Hegseth said in a post on X.

30 min ago

Frantic search for survivors underway amid multi-agency response to plane-helicopter collision

From CNN’s Gabe Cohen

Nearly every law enforcement agency in the area is working on search and rescue efforts after the plane collision near Reagan National Airport Wednesday, a law enforcement source told CNN.

Crews are frantically searching for survivors in the Potomac River, the source said.

Some background: American Airlines told CNN Wednesday night there were 60 passengers and four crew on board the flight that collided on approach to Reagan National Airport.

39 min ago

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelley responds to plane crash

From CNN’s Jamiel Lynch

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly responded to Wednesday night’s plane crash.

“I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport. I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said in a post on X.

25 min ago

Witness said he saw “stream of sparks” after plane suddenly banked right

From CNN’s Helen Regan

Ari Schulman told CNN he was driving home when he witnessed the plane crash near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.

Everything seemed normal as he drove along the George Washington Parkway, the highway that runs by the airport, he said. As he watched the planes coming in to land, one in particular caught his eye.

“Initially I saw the plane and it looked fine. Normal. It was right about to head over land, maybe 120 feet above the water. It looked like a fairly small end but normal sized passenger jet,” Schulman said.

Three seconds later, the plane “was banked all the way to the right… past 90 degrees.”

“I could see the underside of it. It was lit up a very bright yellow, and there was a stream of sparks underneath it,” he said, adding that “it was high off the ground.”

Schulman said following that, everything went dark.

“I didn’t see any helicopter. It’s a very, very dark night out tonight. So anything that’s not illuminated, you can’t really see. So I didn’t see the other aircraft, but I saw the plane banking at an angle that a plane shouldn’t bank. And I saw sparks flying,” he said.

Schulman said everything happened so quickly.

“I didn’t see the plane hit the ground. I didn’t see flames or an explosion or smoke. I didn’t see emergency lights. It was so brief,” he said.

03:09 – Source: CNN

29 min ago

Trump’s new transportation secretary monitoring crash from FAA headquarters

From CNN’s Kaitlan Collins

Newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he is monitoring developments related to the plane crash in the Potomac River at the Federal Aviation Administration’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

He was ceremonially sworn in just a few hours ago after the Senate voted Tuesday to confirm his nomination.

“I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation,” Duffy posted on X.

This post has been updated with additional details about Duffy’s confirmation.

39 min ago

Warming buses deployed to aid rescue efforts and diverted passengers

From CNN’s Ross Levitt and Hanna Park

The general manager of Washington’s transit authority announced on X that the agency is mobilizing resources to support rescue efforts and assist travelers affected by flight diversions.

The response includes sending warming buses and extending transit services, including running additional trains, to accommodate passengers rerouted to Dulles International Airport.

“Tragic news at DCA tonight & our thoughts are with victims. @wmata has sent warming buses to support rescue and we are working to assist @Dulles_Airport w/ diverted flights by running extra Silver Line trains & to keep Silver open later to get people downtown. More info to come,” Randy Clarke of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said on X.

50 min ago

American Airlines says 60 passengers and 4 crew on board

From CNN’s Pete Muntean

American Airlines told CNN Wednesday night there were 60 passengers and four crew on board the flight that collided on approach to Reagan National Airport.

42 min ago

Kansas senator confirms passenger flight collided with military helicopter

From CNN’s Karina Tsui

A passenger plane carrying roughly 60 people collided with a military helicopter, Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas wrote in a post on X.

“Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare,” he wrote. “A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter.”
“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.”

Marshall said he is in touch with “local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”

52 min ago

American “aware of reports” flight 5342 involved in an incident

From CNN’s Alexandra Skores

American Airlines says they’re “aware of reports” that Flight 5342, operated by PSA, has been involved in an incident.

PSA is a regional airline that operates flights on behalf of American.

“We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available,” American Airlines said in a statement.

50 min ago

JD Vance monitoring mid-air collision near Reagan airport

From CNN’s Hanna Park

Vice President JD Vance addressed the mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC, on Wednesday night, calling on the nation to unite in prayer as the administration monitors the situation.

“Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best,” Vance wrote on a social media post on X.

The collision, which reportedly involved a military helicopter and a regional jet, has triggered an emergency response from federal and local authorities. While details about the incident remain limited, rescue and recovery efforts are underway as officials work to assess the situation.

40 min ago

Defense officials confirm US Army Black Hawk was involved in the crash

From CNN’s Natasha Bertrand

A US Army Black Hawk (H-60) helicopter collided with passenger aircraft near Washington on Wednesday, according to two US defense officials.

1 hr 6 min ago

Trump briefed on military helicopter and jet incident near DCA, press secretary says

From CNN’s Hanna Park

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump has been informed about an incident involving a military helicopter and a regional jet near Washington DC’s DCA airport, during a brief interview with Sean Hannity on FOX News Wednesday night.

“There are many agencies that are working on this response right now, both federal and local law enforcement are working together on the ground, to try to save as many lives as possible. And the President will continue to monitor this situation,” Leavitt said, urging the public to remain calm and follow guidance from law enforcement as they work to respond to the situation.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those involved,” Leavitt said.

1 hr 8 min ago

Agencies launch search and rescue in Potomac River

From CNN’s Mary Kay Mallonee and Helen Regan

DC Police said it was coordinating a search and rescue in the Potomac River along with other agencies, after receiving reports of a passenger plane crash.

In a joint statement with DC Fire and MPD, police said “there is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.”

The statement said police began receiving calls at 8:53 p.m. local time about “an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.”

1 hr 23 min ago

Kansas senators in contact with authorities about plane crash in Potomac River

From CNN’s Morgan Rimmer

Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas say they are in contact with authorities after news that the plane that crashed in the Potomac River was coming from Wichita, Kansas.

“Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities,” Moran posted on X. “Please join me in praying for all involved.”

Marshall said he has “seen the reports of a collision with a D.C. helicopter and an inbound flight from Wichita, KS.”

“We are in contact with authorities working to get answers. We ask you to join us in prayer for every single passenger and their families,” he said on X.

1 hr 21 min ago

Plane collided midair with Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching runway: FAA

From CNN’s Ross Levitt

A passenger aircraft that crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, DC, collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to the runway, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

The plane was Flight 5342 for American Airlines and was a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet. It departed from Wichita, Kansas, earlier on Wednesday.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, along with the FAA.

The FAA said its statement is based on preliminary information and subject to change.

1 hr 31 min ago

DC Police say crash does not involve police helicopter

From CNN’s Mary Kay Mallonee

DC Police said it was not an Metropolitan Police Department helicopter involved in this incident.

“MPD’s helicopter is NOT involved in this incident and is currently assisting in the multi-agency response,” MPD said.

“Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved,” Sen. Jerry Moran said on X,

1 hr 42 min ago

Reagan National Airport is closed following plane crash

Reagan National Airport is closed due to an “emergency,” according to an FAA advisory.

The advisory comes after news that a small plane crashed into the Potomac River near the airport outside of Washington, DC, according to DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

1 hr 22 min ago

Passenger aircraft crashes in Potomac River near Reagan National Airport

A passenger aircraft has crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, DC, according to DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Fireboats are on the scene.

“All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open,” Reagan National Airport said on social media.

CNN

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