What to Know About the Plane Crash near Washington, DC, The First Major US Commercial Aviation Disaster Since 2009

Disaster Over D.C.: Military Helicopter and Passenger Plane Collide Mid-Air—Rescue Efforts Underway

A devastating mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 has sent shockwaves across the nation. The accident, which occurred just outside Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025, is being described as the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009.

Moments Before the Crash

The PSA Airlines-operated Bombardier CRJ700 was on its final approach to Reagan National Airport, nearing its scheduled landing at 9:00 p.m. when tragedy struck. At 8:53 p.m., emergency calls flooded into D.C. police dispatch, reporting an aircraft collision over the Potomac River.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that air traffic controllers had directed the Black Hawk to maneuver behind the jet. The helicopter pilot confirmed visual contact and requested separation, but within seconds, a catastrophic impact unfolded.

Eyewitness Accounts and Terrifying Footage

A video captured by EarthCam shows the aircraft colliding in the night sky before erupting into flames, debris scattering into the water below.

Ari Schulman, a D.C. resident driving home at the time, described the chilling final moments:

“At first, it seemed like any other landing. But then the plane suddenly banked—far beyond 90 degrees. I could see the entire underside, glowing bright yellow. Sparks rained down. Then… darkness.”

Chaos in the Skies—Flights Diverted, Airports Shut Down

In the aftermath, airspace restrictions were immediately enforced. 19 flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport, while Reagan National was shut down entirely. The FAA confirmed the airport would remain closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m., with all operations suspended as investigators piece together what went wrong.

Rescue Crews Battle Brutal Conditions

Emergency teams rushed to the Potomac River, deploying search boats and helicopters in a desperate effort to locate survivors. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser addressed the crisis, confirming that both aircraft had plunged into the water, leaving 64 passengers aboard the commercial flight and three soldiers in the military helicopter unaccounted for.

“Right now, our priority is rescue operations,” Bowser stated. “We are throwing every available resource into this mission.”

Despite the urgency, conditions have severely hampered efforts. Frigid temperatures, high winds, and floating ice make navigation treacherous.

D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly described the dangers:

“Water temperatures are hovering around 35°F, meaning hypothermia sets in within minutes. Our teams are racing against time in incredibly hazardous conditions.”

A Community in Limbo—Families Await News

At Reagan National Airport, grief-stricken families await updates, their loved ones among the missing.

Jack Potter, CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, spoke about the heartbreaking uncertainty:

“There are families who came to pick up their loved ones… and now, they are waiting in agonizing silence.”

One of them is Hamaad Raza, who lost contact with his wife just moments before the crash.

“I’m just praying someone is pulling her out of the river right now,” he said through tears.

Who Was on Board? A Nation Mourns Potential Losses

Among the passengers were several members of the U.S. figure skating community and two Russian athletes, en route to a major competition.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran described the tragedy as a “deeply personal loss,” revealing that several Kansas residents were aboard the flight.

“This hits home for so many,” Moran stated solemnly.

The Investigation Begins—What Went Wrong?

As recovery operations continue, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an immediate probe into the disaster. The FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team is also on-site, combing through the wreckage in the frigid depths of the Potomac.

While officials remain tight-lipped about the exact cause, early reports suggest a failure in mid-air separation procedures.

Aviation Disasters in Recent U.S. History

This tragedy marks the most significant commercial aviation disaster in the U.S. since the 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash, which claimed 49 lives near Buffalo, New York.

Other deadly incidents include:

  • 2013 Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco (3 dead, 200 injured).
  • 2018 Southwest Airlines engine failure, where a passenger was tragically killed.

What Comes Next?

With hundreds of first responders braving freezing waters and brutal winds, the search for survivors remains the top priority.

As America watches, families hold their breath, hoping for a miracle.

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