Washington D.C., January 31, 2025 â A tragic midair collision between a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport has left at least 18 people dead, with more bodies expected to be recovered from the Potomac River. The crash occurred at approximately 9 p.m. EST on Wednesday as the American Airlines regional jet was making its final approach to the airport’s Runway 33.
The American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, carrying 64 people including 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, which was carrying three soldiers. After the collision, both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River. Rescue crews were immediately dispatched to the scene, and search operations are still ongoing to locate any potential survivors.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the jet crash-landed into the river following the collision. The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. All flights at Reagan National were halted immediately, creating a temporary air traffic shutdown as authorities scrambled to respond to the devastating incident.
The Blackhawk helicopter was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was reportedly in the area on a routine training mission. Local authorities, alongside federal agencies, are working to identify the victims and coordinate recovery efforts.
At the moment, the focus remains on recovering any additional bodies from the river and determining if there are any survivors from the wreckage. Emergency services continue to comb the area near the Arlington Memorial Bridge and the surrounding parts of the Potomac.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the local community and has left many families anxiously waiting for information. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of the victims, but local residents have already begun expressing their grief and concern.
As the investigation unfolds, the public is urged to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to do their work. Officials are asking for patience as recovery efforts continue and are committed to providing updates as more information becomes available.
This tragic collision is one of the deadliest incidents near Reagan National Airport in recent years, drawing attention to the need for enhanced air traffic control systems and collision avoidance measures in busy airspaces.
More details will be released as the investigation progresses.
