Army Black Hawk Helicopter and American Eagle Flight Collide, Fall Into Potomac – Guy D. McCardle
In a tragic incident that has left the nation in mourning, an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair, crashing into the icy waters of the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision occurred on the evening of January 29, 2025, resulting in a significant loss of life and prompting a massive search and rescue operation.
The Collision: What We Know So Far
On the evening of January 29, 2025, at approximately 8:48 p.m. local time, a devastating midair collision occurred near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Eagle, was on its final approach to the airport when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash sent both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River, resulting in multiple fatalities and prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation.
Flight 5342 had departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. It was approaching Runway 33 at Reagan National when the U.S. Army helicopter, a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk (VH-60M variant) from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, crossed its path. The helicopter, which had three crew members on board, was operating under the call sign “PAT25” and was based at Davidson Army Airfield.
Video footage of the incident captured the Black Hawk colliding with the CRJ700 from the right-hand side. The impact caused a massive fireball to erupt in the sky before both aircraft plummeted into the icy waters of the Potomac. At the time of the crash, weather conditions were relatively clear, with visibility extending five or more miles. Winds were light, blowing at 8 knots from 300 degrees. The temperature was around 8°C (46°F), but as the night went on, it dropped closer to freezing, adding to the challenges faced by emergency responders conducting search and recovery efforts. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the cause of this tragic accident.
Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
In the immediate aftermath of the midair collision a massive search and rescue operation was launched in the Potomac River. By the morning of January 30, approximately 300 emergency responders had been deployed to the scene, working tirelessly to locate victims and potential survivors. Multiple agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, DC Fire and EMS, U.S. Park Police, and U.S. military, were involved in the coordinated effort. Fireboats scoured the river while helicopters conducted aerial surveys, and inflatable boats were launched from a point along the George Washington Parkway.
Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by challenging conditions. The water temperature in the Potomac River was reported to be in the 30s (Fahrenheit), making survival for extended periods nearly impossible. Strong winds, freezing air temperatures dropping as low as -1°C (30°F), and muddy waters have further complicated search operations. These extreme conditions have raised significant concerns about hypothermia for any potential survivors.
In a tragic incident that has left the nation in mourning, an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair, crashing into the icy waters of the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision occurred on the evening of January 29, 2025, resulting in a significant loss of life and prompting a massive search and rescue operation.
The Collision: What We Know So Far
On the evening of January 29, 2025, at approximately 8:48 p.m. local time, a devastating midair collision occurred near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Eagle, was on its final approach to the airport when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash sent both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River, resulting in multiple fatalities and prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation.
Flight 5342 had departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. It was approaching Runway 33 at Reagan National when the U.S. Army helicopter, a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk (VH-60M variant) from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, crossed its path. The helicopter, which had three crew members on board, was operating under the call sign “PAT25” and was based at Davidson Army Airfield.
Video footage of the incident captured the Black Hawk colliding with the CRJ700 from the right-hand side. The impact caused a massive fireball to erupt in the sky before both aircraft plummeted into the icy waters of the Potomac. At the time of the crash, weather conditions were relatively clear, with visibility extending five or more miles. Winds were light, blowing at 8 knots from 300 degrees. The temperature was around 8°C (46°F), but as the night went on, it dropped closer to freezing, adding to the challenges faced by emergency responders conducting search and recovery efforts. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the cause of this tragic accident.
Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
In the immediate aftermath of the midair collision a massive search and rescue operation was launched in the Potomac River. By the morning of January 30, approximately 300 emergency responders had been deployed to the scene, working tirelessly to locate victims and potential survivors. Multiple agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, DC Fire and EMS, U.S. Park Police, and U.S. military, were involved in the coordinated effort. Fireboats scoured the river while helicopters conducted aerial surveys, and inflatable boats were launched from a point along the George Washington Parkway.
Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by challenging conditions. The water temperature in the Potomac River was reported to be in the 30s (Fahrenheit), making survival for extended periods nearly impossible. Strong winds, freezing air temperatures dropping as low as -1°C (30°F), and muddy waters have further complicated search operations. These extreme conditions have raised significant concerns about hypothermia for any potential survivors.
By the morning of January 30, at least 18 bodies had been recovered from the river, but tragically, no survivors have been found among those pulled from the water. The search is ongoing, though hopes of finding survivors continue to fade due to the freezing conditions.
In response to the disaster, Reagan National Airport suspended all flight operations until at least 11 a.m. ET on January 30 to allow emergency teams to focus on the situation. While the terminal remained open, many inbound flights were placed in holding patterns or diverted to other airports. Authorities have urged travelers and residents to avoid the area as investigations and rescue operations continue.
Air Traffic Control Communications
Air traffic control communications played a critical role in the moments leading up to and following the tragic collision. Just 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the Black Hawk helicopter, operating under the call sign PAT25, if it had visual contact with the approaching CRJ700 jet. The controller then instructed the helicopter to “pass behind the CRJ,” a directive given about 25 seconds before impact. However, after this communication, there was no recorded response from the Black Hawk crew.
Immediately after the collision, another aircraft contacted the tower, asking, “Tower, did you see that?” as controllers scrambled to assess the situation. Air traffic controllers quickly issued instructions to other approaching aircraft to reroute, ensuring no further incidents occurred. One controller urgently called out, “Crash, crash, crash, this is alert three,” signaling the severity of the situation. Another was heard saying, “I just witnessed a fireball, and then it disappeared. I haven’t observed anything since they impacted the river,” confirming that both the helicopter and the jet had gone down in the Potomac.
These recordings will be critical in the investigation as officials work to determine what led to the collision. Investigators will closely analyze the audio to understand the sequence of events and identify any potential miscommunications or misunderstandings that may have contributed to the tragic accident.
Notable Passengers and Public Reaction
Several notable passengers were on board American Airlines Flight 5342, including well-known figures in the figure skating community. Russian World Pairs Figure Skating Champions from 1994, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were reportedly among the victims. The flight also carried multiple U.S. Figure Skating athletes, personnel, and family members who were returning from a National Development Camp held alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. The tragic loss of these individuals has deeply impacted the skating world and beyond.
Public reaction to the disaster has been widespread and emotional. President Donald Trump issued a statement expressing his condolences and commending the first responders for their efforts. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also offered prayers for those involved and promised to keep the public updated as rescue and recovery operations continued. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly acknowledged the crash, sending her thoughts to those affected. Several U.S. senators, including Jerry Moran and Ted Cruz, urged prayers and expressed their concern. In response to the tragedy, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the deployment of U.S. Coast Guard resources to assist in search and rescue efforts.
The crash has had a profound effect on the public, especially those who had close encounters with the ill-fated flight. One Reddit user shared their experience of departing from the same airport just 13 minutes after Flight 5342, describing a deep sense of unease and connection to the tragedy. The incident has also reignited discussions about aviation safety and transparency, with calls for greater public access to flight data.
This collision has sent shockwaves through the nation, particularly given the remarkable safety record of U.S. airlines in recent years. It marks the first fatal crash involving a U.S. passenger airline since 2009, a sobering reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the importance of continued safety improvements.
In the wake of the tragedy, President Donald Trump took to social media to question the actions of the helicopter crew and air traffic controllers, emphasizing the clear weather conditions and the visibility of the aircraft. He stated, “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
Historical Context
The recent midair collision over the Potomac River has brought back memories of another tragic aviation disaster that occurred more than 40 years ago. On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737-222, crashed into the 14th Street Bridge shortly after taking off from Washington National Airport, now known as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The accident remains one of the deadliest air disasters in Washington, D.C.’s history.
The 1982 crash happened under harsh winter conditions. A severe snowstorm had temporarily shut down the airport earlier that day, and after de-icing, the plane sat on the taxiway for 49 minutes, allowing fresh snow to accumulate on its wings. The flight crew also failed to activate the engine anti-ice system, a critical mistake that would later prove fatal. The captain, who had limited experience flying in snowy conditions, made several errors during takeoff. As a result, the aircraft struggled to gain altitude and reached only 350 feet before disaster struck.
The plane first struck the 14th Street Bridge, hitting seven vehicles and destroying 97 feet of guardrail. After the impact, it plunged into the frozen Potomac River, breaking apart upon entry. Out of the 79 passengers and crew on board, only five survived. Additionally, four motorists on the bridge lost their lives.
The tragic event led to major reforms in aviation safety, including improved pilot training and stricter de-icing procedures. It remains a dark reminder of the importance of proper safety protocols and decision-making in air travel. Now, with the recent collision over the Potomac, these lessons have resurfaced, highlighting the ever-present need for vigilance in aviation safety.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the tragic collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and the Black Hawk helicopter is now underway, with multiple agencies working together to determine what went wrong. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, focusing on why the Black Hawk lost separation from the PSA Airlines CRJ700 as it descended for landing at Reagan National Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also involved, working closely with the NTSB, while the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Army are conducting their own reviews due to the military aircraft’s involvement.
Investigators will examine a range of factors that could have contributed to the accident. This includes analyzing air traffic control recordings, pilot training documents, and data from the cockpit voice and flight recorders once the black boxes are recovered. They will also collaborate with American Airlines, labor unions representing crew members, and other aviation experts to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision.
While the NTSB will release a preliminary report with early findings, a final, detailed report identifying the exact causes of the accident could take several months or even more than a year to complete. The investigation is further complicated by the fact that the crash occurred in highly sensitive airspace, close to major government landmarks such as the White House, U.S. Capitol, and Pentagon.
Adding another layer of complexity, this investigation comes at a time of significant leadership changes in U.S. aviation agencies, including recent shifts in key positions at the FAA and Department of Transportation. These changes may influence how the investigation unfolds, but for now, authorities are committed to uncovering the full truth behind this devastating incident.
Summing Up
As the investigation unfolds, the nation grieves the loss of life resulting from this tragic event. The aviation and military communities, along with the families of the victims, are left seeking answers and solace in the face of an unimaginable catastrophe.
**This is a developing story; check back with SOFRFEP for more details as they become available.
