WASHINGTON, D.C. — A regional jet operated by American Airlines, carrying 64 people, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter late Wednesday near Reagan National Airport in Virginia. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.
“We were unfortunately unable to rescue anyone,” said Jack Potter, head of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, during a Thursday morning press conference.
Details of the Crash
American Eagle Flight 5342 had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was carrying passengers, including U.S. and Russian figure skaters, according to the U.S. Figure Skating Association and the Kremlin. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash happened around 9 p.m. ET as the flight was approaching DCA.
American Airlines reported that the aircraft had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. Emergency responders, including 300 personnel, were deployed to search the Potomac River. As of Thursday morning, D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed the recovery of 28 bodies—27 from the plane and one from the helicopter.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Army also launching immediate inquiries.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the helicopter was on a training flight from Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated at a press conference that the company had no clear understanding of why the military aircraft entered the path of the passenger jet.
Political Reactions and Speculations
During a White House briefing, President Donald Trump stated, “We do not know what caused this crash, but we have strong opinions.” Trump, along with Vice President J.D. Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, suggested that diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as well as past administrations, contributed to the incident. When questioned about his claim that air traffic controller diversity played a role, Trump responded, “Because I have common sense.”
Duffy agreed that the collision was preventable, emphasizing that conditions were clear and flight paths were routine. However, he added, “Something went wrong here.”
Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner urged patience, stating, “This is not a time for speculation—it’s a time for investigation.”
Challenging Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations faced significant obstacles, including freezing temperatures, darkness, and murky waters. “There’s wind, ice, and very little visibility,” Donnelly explained. “Diving in these conditions is extremely difficult.”
Maryland and Virginia governors provided additional personnel to aid in recovery efforts.
Impact on Kansas and the Figure Skating Community
The flight had a direct connection to Wichita, Kansas, with several passengers from the region. Wichita Mayor Lily Wu stated that authorities had not yet received a flight manifest confirming the identities of those on board.
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that members of its national development program were on the flight, describing the incident as an “unspeakable tragedy.”
Next Steps
The FAA and NTSB will conduct a full investigation to determine what led to the mid-air collision. American Airlines is providing updates at news.aa.com and has set up a hotline for victims’ families at 1-800-679-8215.
