American Airlines Regional Jet Crashes Near D.C., All Takeoffs and Landings Halted at Reagan National

A jet operated by PSA Airlines — part of the American Airlines group — collided with a Black Hawk helicopter as it was approaching Reagan National Airport Wednesday evening, and all takeoffs and landings have been halted. 

During a Thursday morning press conference, Duffy said authorities had located the two aircraft and that the fuselage of the regional jet was found in three different parts in the Potomac River.

"We don't believe there are any survivors," said Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS chief John Donnelly during the conference.

Donnelly said they have already recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter.

The incident marks the first time there has been a commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009, when a Colgan Air flight crashed into a house in Erie County, New York, killing all 49 passengers and crew on board.

Duffy emphasized the safety of U.S. airspace after the crash.

"Absolute, yes we do. We have early indicators of what happened here. And I will tell you with complete confidence we have the safest airspace in the world," he said.

American CEO Robert Isom said that family assistance centers had been set up in Washington, D.C. and Wichita, Kansas.

The incident marks the first time there has been a commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009, when a regional carrier of Continental Airlines crashed into a house in Erie County, New York, killing all 49 passengers and crew on board.

"Everything was standard in the lead-up to the crash," Duffy said, adding that military helicopters routinely fly over the Potomac River.

Duffy said he believed the accident was preventable.

"Do I believe that this accident was preventable? Absolutely," he said.

Search and Rescue Efforts Are Ongoing

According to a statement from the FAA,  “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.”

A statement from American Airlines said, “We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.”

Local officials confirmed that at least one aircraft was in the Potomac River. Washington, D.C. police said in a post on X that authorities are conducting search and rescue efforts in the river.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on X that he was at the FAA headquarters “closely monitoring the situation.” Duffy was confirmed as Transportation Secretary on Tuesday.

The FAA does not currently have a Senate-confirmed chief. Former National Business Aviation Association chief operating officer Chris Rocheleau is the FAA’s deputy administrator. President Trump has not yet announced a pick to lead the FAA.

Former FAA chief Mike Whitaker resigned from the post January 20. 

The last time there was a plane crash in the Potomac River was January 13, 1982, when an Air Florida flight struck a bridge the 14th Street Bridge and went into the river. The flight had 74 passengers and five crew members. Only four passengers and one crew member survived.

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation, according to a statement from the White House. 

Editor’s Note: The story was updated to reflect the new time Reagan National will re-open on Thursday.