A tragic midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet occurred near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation. So far, 18 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, with no survivors found yet.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the incident involved a PSA Airlines-operated regional jet and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at approximately 9 p.m. local time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in investigating the crash.
Response from Officials
President Donald Trump addressed the incident on his Truth Social platform, criticizing air traffic control for not preventing the collision. “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane? This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented,” Trump wrote, adding, “NOT GOOD!!!”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating in a video message: “This is a difficult day for all of us. Our hearts go out to the families of those affected.”
Details of the Incident
According to the FAA, PSA Airlines was operating Flight 5342 on behalf of American Airlines. The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was carrying 64 passengers. Concerns remain that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
Regarding the Black Hawk helicopter, a U.S. Army official confirmed that three military personnel were on board at the time of the accident. A U.S. official speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity stated that no senior officers were among them. The Joint Task Force–National Capital Region’s media chief, Heather Chairas, told CBS News that the helicopter belonged to B Company of the 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was conducting a training flight at the time.
Ongoing Investigations and Airport Operations
Following the crash, emergency responders swiftly launched search and rescue efforts, and all take-offs and landings at Reagan National Airport were temporarily suspended. Authorities have not yet provided an official casualty count, but a press briefing is expected soon.
The NTSB, in coordination with the FAA and military officials, will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.