American Airlines Plane Collides with Black Hawk Survivors Sought

On Wednesday night, an American Airlines regional jet collided midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter while landing at Reagan Washington National Airport, as reported by the Associated Press.

The collision took place around 9 pm ET when the regional jet, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the Black Hawk helicopter as it was approaching the runway at the airport.

The American Airlines flight 5342 was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, according to CBS News.

The Black Hawk Sikorsky H-60 had three US Army soldiers onboard at the time of the incident.Data from the flight’s radio transponder revealed that.

The plane suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River after the collision, causing additional concern about the safety of those on board.

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Ronald Reagan Airlines Suspends Operations After Crash

In response to the crash, Ronald Reagan Airport suspended all aircraft take-offs and landings, as confirmed by the airport operator in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Pentagon issued an official statement confirming that the Black Hawk helicopter had taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was conducting a routine training flight.

The time of the collision.Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and efforts to locate survivors are underway, with rescue teams on the scene.

A search and rescue operation is ongoing near the Potomac River to find survivors of the crash, with the DC fire department, police, and the US Coast Guard involved.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that first responders are working in “dark and cold conditions” during the operation.

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American Airlines CEO Expresses Deep Sorrow and Cooperation with Investigation

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and confirmed the airline is fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.

US President Donald Trump released a statement, saying that he received a full briefing on the accident at Reagan National Airport and offered his condolences.

Trump praised the efforts of first responders and stated he was monitoring the situation closely, promising to provide more details as they arise.

Later, on TruthSocial, Trump raised concerns, questioning why the plane had its lights on during a clear night and why the control tower didn’t direct the helicopter.

Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Pentagon is “actively monitoring” the situation.

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Rescue Operation Focused on Water, No Confirmation of Survivors

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed he spoke with the President and that the transport department is coordinating with the mayor and first responders to provide support.

US Senator Ted Cruz acknowledged fatalities in the crash, but the exact number of people onboard remains unclear.

Cruz wrote on X, “While we don’t yet know how many onboard lost their lives, we know there are fatalities.”

Rescuers recovered at least 18 bodies from the Potomac River after a midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

A “rescue operation” is currently underway in the Potomac River.D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly confirmed that authorities have now focused the search entirely on the water, not on land. Donnelly also stated that authorities do not know if there are any survivors.

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