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| ▲ Emergency service vehicles stand near the site of a crash after a passenger plane collided with a helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed in the Potomac River outside Washington on Jan. 29, 2025, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap) |
(2nd LD) passenger plane-collision
(2nd LD) Passenger plane crashes in Potomac River after collision with Army helicopter
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout; CHANGES dateline; RECONSTRUCTS)
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) -- A passenger aircraft carrying 64 people collided in midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport just outside of Washington, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and an airline.
The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter as it was nearing a runaway at around 9 p.m., according to the administration. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.
At least 18 bodies were recovered with no survivors having been found as of 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, CBS News reported, citing a police official, as a frantic search-and-rescue operation was under way in the Potomac River.
The ill-fated plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, American Airlines said, while three people were reported to have been aboard the chopper.
President Donald Trump said he is monitoring the situation.
"I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls," Trump said in a statement released by the White House.
"Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise."
On X, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that her department is deploying "every available" U.S. Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts.
"We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders," she wrote.
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