Passenger aircraft collides with military chopper over Washington area; several feared dead

A passenger jet collided with a military helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Jan 29 night, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), several casualties are feared in the collision, which occurred just before 9 p.m. (local time) and brought air traffic at the airport to a halt.

According to American Airlines, 60 passengers and 4 crew were aboard the passenger jet.

The FAA said the crash involved a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and a military Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft were on approach to the airport when they collided in midair. The FAA did not immediately provide details on the number of people aboard either aircraft or confirm any casualties.

A large number of helicopters from regional agencies were seen hovering over the crash site, while rescue teams in inflatable boats launched from a point along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport. Efforts to locate survivors were ongoing late into the night.

“We are aware of reports that one of our flights may have been involved in the incident, and we are working to gather more information,” American Airlines said in a post on social media. The airline did not specify which flight was involved but said it would release further details as soon as they became available.

“Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.” US Vice President JD Vance in a post on X said.

Footage captured by a nearby observation camera at the Kennedy Center appeared to show two sets of lights, consistent with aircraft, converging before a fiery explosion lit up the night sky over the Potomac River.

In a statement, the airport confirmed that emergency crews were responding to “an aircraft incident on the airfield.” Both takeoffs and landings were suspended as rescue efforts were underway.

The midair collision is reminiscent of the tragic crash of Air Florida Flight 90, which plunged into the icy Potomac River on January 13, 1982, after striking the 14th Street Bridge during a snowstorm. Seventy-eight people were killed in that disaster, and it remains one of Washington’s most haunting aviation accidents.

As of Jan 29 night, details about the cause of the collision between the jet and the military helicopter remained unclear. It was also not known whether any passengers or crew members had survived.

Search and rescue ongoing

Emergency personnel from various agencies, including the District of Columbia’s fire department and police force, quickly mobilized after the collision, responding to the area along the Potomac River. Fireboats were on the scene, and divers were deployed in an attempt to locate any survivors from the wreckage. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed via social media that a multi-agency search and rescue operation was underway.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it was monitoring the situation and gathering more information about the incident. While initial reports suggested the collision occurred as both aircraft were descending towards Reagan National’s runway, the NTSB has not yet confirmed the exact circumstances of the crash.

Kansas Senator confirms involvement of plane from Wichita

US Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, stated on social media that he had received word a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in the crash. The senator offered his condolences and prayers for those on board and pledged to stay updated on the investigation.

The identity of the military helicopter involved in the crash has not been publicly confirmed, and officials have not provided any additional information about the helicopter’s mission or personnel aboard. The Black Hawk helicopter, a versatile and widely used aircraft in the U.S. military, is often employed for a variety of missions, including transport and search and rescue operations.

Air traffic suspended at Reagan National

Reagan National Airport, located just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington, DC, is a critical hub for domestic flights, particularly those serving the East Coast. As emergency responders dealt with the fallout from the crash, all takeoffs and landings at the airport were suspended, disrupting flight schedules and causing delays for passengers.

The airport did not immediately provide an update on when normal operations might resume. Late on Jan 29, passengers at the airport and those expecting to arrive were being told to check with their airlines for further instructions.

The FAA and NTSB are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision. Authorities are likely to focus on factors such as air traffic control communications, weather conditions, and any potential mechanical failures in either aircraft.

The collision is the latest aviation incident to rattle the Washington region, though the full scope of its impact, including potential casualties, remains unknown as of Jan 29 night.