By Joke Kujenya
A MIDAIR collision between a commercial passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter has triggered a disastrous crash into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Search and rescue teams are currently battling freezing conditions to locate survivors as officials confirm multiple fatalities.
Media reports confirmed that emergency responders have so far recovered 18 bodies from the wreckage-strewn waters, while efforts continue in the icy river where the aircraft plunged.
The accident, which happened late Wednesday, has forced the shutdown of Reagan National Airport, grounding all flights as authorities investigate the tragedy.
The doomed flight, American Airlines 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was nearing its destination from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Onboard the Bombardier CRJ700 jet were 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military aircraft carried three US soldiers.
Eyewitnesses described the horror in the night sky.
Ari Schulman, driving along George Washington Parkway, said the plane initially seemed on course before banking sharply, sparks streaking its underside.
“It looked very, very wrong. The whole plane was lit up like a giant Roman candle,” he recounted.
Another witness, Jimmy Mazeo, noticed unusual flight patterns near the airport before seeing a bright flash in the sky. Minutes later, emergency crews swarmed the area.
First responders, including DC Fire and Emergency Services, deployed around 300 personnel in rubber boats to search for survivors. Fire Chief John Donnelly described the treacherous conditions, with strong winds and floating ice complicating rescue efforts.
“It’s dangerous and hard to work in,” he said.
Aviation authorities in the US have not confirmed the total number of casualties, but US media reports indicate that only about 18 survivors have been recovered so far.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the disaster.
US President Expresses Sadness
President Donald Trump, in a statement, expressed deep sorrow over the crash. “May God bless their souls,” he said, thanking emergency responders for their efforts.
On his Truth Social account, he questioned whether the tragedy could have been avoided, calling it “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have pledged full cooperation with investigators.
When asked whether flight paths near Reagan National Airport would be reviewed, Duffy stated, “We will take appropriate action if necessary.”
Also, radar tracking suggests the jet was attempting to land on Runway 33 when the collision occurred.
A webcam from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts reportedly captured the moment of impact, showing a bright explosion.
The crash marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the US in recent years, recalling the 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash in Buffalo, New York, which killed 50 people.
Families of passengers on board have gathered at Reagan National Airport, awaiting updates amid growing fears that the rescue effort is shifting toward a recovery mission.
CNN’s Gabe Cohen, reporting from the scene, noted the sombre mood among rescuers. “It feels like we’re moving from search and rescue to a recovery operation,” he said.
The airspace surrounding Washington, DC, is described to be among the most restricted and complex in the country, with a dense mix of commercial, military, and law enforcement flights.
Investigators noted they will have to determine whether air traffic control errors, mechanical failure, or other factors contributed to the deadly midair collision.
Currently, with temperatures set to dip below freezing overnight and rain forecast for the following day, rescuers are predicted to likely face mounting challenges as they race against time to find any possible survivors.
However, the airport remains closed until at least 11am. Thursday, pending further updates from officials.
