A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided midair on Wednesday evening near Reagan National Airport, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the incident involved a PSA Airlines-operated regional jet and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport at approximately 9 p.m. local time. No immediate casualties have been reported, and rescue operations are ongoing. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in the investigation.
Incident Details & Emergency Response
The commercial flight, identified as American Eagle Flight 5342, was operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines. The aircraft departed from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), carrying 65 passengers, when it collided with the military helicopter midair.
The impact triggered a swift response from multiple agencies, including law enforcement and emergency crews, as authorities launched search and rescue operations in the nearby Potomac River.
As a precautionary measure, all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport were temporarily suspended, while investigators worked to assess the situation and determine the cause of the collision.
Search Efforts in the Potomac River
Shortly after the crash, DC Fire & EMS reported that a small aircraft was down in the Potomac River, near Reagan National Airport. Emergency responders, including the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, were dispatched to the scene.
“DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department, and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River,” officials stated. “There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.”
The FAA and NTSB have confirmed they will conduct a comprehensive investigation, with the NTSB leading the inquiry.
Airline & Military Response
In a statement to Fox News Digital, American Airlines acknowledged reports involving Flight 5342 but provided no further details.
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a twin-engine, four-blade military helicopter known for its utility in combat and rescue missions. It can accommodate up to 15 personnel, including two pilots, two crew chiefs, and two rescue specialists.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the collision, focusing on air traffic control communications, flight data, and eyewitness reports. The NTSB will release further updates as the investigation progresses.