Washington: A US passenger jet carrying 64 people collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into Potomac River near Washington, on Wednesday night. The accident happened around 9 pm (0200 GMT) as the aircraft was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport. The jet had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, earlier in the evening.
According to air traffic recordings, less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport asked the military helicopter crew if they had spotted the approaching jet. The controller then instructed the helicopter, identified as “PAT25,” to pass behind the passenger aircraft. There was no response from the helicopter. Moments later, the two aircraft collided. A pilot who witnessed the incident immediately reported it to the control tower.
Rescue and investigation
The Bombardier CRJ-700 jet was operated by American Airlines’ regional partner, PSA Airlines. It was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The US Army confirmed that three soldiers were on board the Black Hawk, which was on a training mission, as reported by NDTV.
Emergency response teams, including more than 300 personnel, were dispatched to the spot. Authorities launched a large-scale search and rescue operation to locate survivors and recover wreckage from the river. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded all flights at Reagan National Airport as a precaution. The airport is expected to resume normal operations by 11 am (1600 GMT) on Thursday.
Aviation experts are investigating how a commercial jet equipped with advanced safety systems could collide with a military helicopter in one of the most heavily monitored airspaces in the country.
Washington’s airspace is known for being busy, with civilian and military aircraft frequently flying in close proximity. Officials are now reviewing air traffic control procedures, communication records, and flight paths to understand what went wrong.
Reactions and statements
US President Donald Trump expressed condolences for the victims in an official statement. Later, he criticized air traffic control procedures on social media, questioning why the helicopter did not take evasive action and whether the control tower gave clear instructions.
American Airlines’ CEO issued a video statement expressing “deep sorrow” over the crash, while US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas described it as a “nightmare.”
