A passenger plane and a military helicopter collided mid-air near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night, leading to a significant emergency response and the suspension of all airport operations.
The incident, which occurred around 9 p.m., involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as an American Airlines flight, and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The passenger aircraft was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter had three personnel on board.
Emergency services responded with an “enormous response,” including vehicles and boats, as initial reports indicated that both aircraft may have landed in the river. This raised concerns for the safety of those on board, particularly given that survival in such conditions is limited.
Authorities have not released any official information regarding casualties at this time. Eyewitness video footage shared on social media captured the moment of the collision, followed by an explosion.
Preliminary reports suggest that an air traffic controller had instructed the helicopter to pass behind the approaching passenger plane just before the crash.
Government officials, including President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have been briefed on the situation. Trump described the incident as a “terrible accident” and expressed his concern. Senator Ted Cruz confirmed fatalities, though specific numbers have not been disclosed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that Ronald Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least 5 a.m. on Friday. Both the National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Defense have initiated investigations into the cause of the crash.
If confirmed, this incident would mark the first fatal event involving a US commercial airline since the Colgan Air Flight 3407 tragedy in 2009, which resulted in 49 deaths. Ronald Reagan National Airport serves as a primary hub for domestic travel in the Washington, DC area.
