Latest: Regional Jet Down in Potomac River

Two plane have reportedly collided close to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. One of many plane was an American Eagle CRJ-700 operated by PSA Airways, whereas the opposite was a Black Hawk helicopter, in keeping with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The company confirmed the incident in an announcement: “A PSA Airways Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter whereas on method to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport round 9 p.m. native time. PSA was working as Flight 5342 for American Airways. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.”

American Airways additionally confirmed a PSA Airways CRJ-700 (N709PS) was concerned. PSA is a wholly-owned regional subsidiary of the American Airways Group.

The airline’s CEO, Robert Isom, says he’s headed to D.C. shortly. American’s CARE Group has additionally been activated.

An American Eagle CRJ-700 (Picture: AirlineGeeks)

Flight 5342 was working from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., with 64 passengers and crew members onboard, the service mentioned.

A number of businesses are conducting search and rescue operations. Over 300 responders are working in near-freezing circumstances with murky river water, officers mentioned. No rescue operations are happening on land.

Air visitors management recordings could be discovered beneath:

Audio between PAT25 and DCA tower asking if they’ve the CRJ in sight. Affirms and requests visible separation. pic.twitter.com/6VAxx9zmv5

— NOVA Scanner Updates (@NOVAScanner) January 30, 2025

The airport mentioned it’s closed till at the very least 11 a.m. Thursday. President Trump has additionally been briefed.

“I’ve been totally briefed on the horrible accident which simply happened at Reagan Nationwide Airport. Could God Bless their souls. Thanks for the unimaginable work being carried out by our first responders. I’m monitoring the scenario and can present extra particulars as they come up,” the President mentioned in an announcement.

This can be a creating story and can be up to date as info turns into accessible. 

Ryan based AirlineGeeks.com again in February 2013 and has amassed appreciable expertise within the aviation sector. His work has been featured in a number of publications and information retailers, together with CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Enterprise Insider. Throughout his time within the trade, he is labored in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations whereas holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Administration from Arizona State College together with an MBA. Ryan has expertise in a number of sides of the trade from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline trade executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks’ proprietor FLYING Media, spearheading protection within the business aviation area.

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