The deadliest aviation disaster in the United States in the past two decades unfolded dramatically Wednesday evening over Washington, following a violent collision between an American Airlines passenger plane approaching Reagan National Airport and a U.S. military helicopter. Both aircraft plummeted into the frigid waters of the Potomac River, and local authorities have confirmed there appears to be no survivors.
As of Thursday morning, rescue teams had recovered 27 bodies from the wreckage of the commercial airliner and one from the helicopter’s debris, Washington Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said in a press conference. The flight, which had 64 people on board, collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter, which carried three soldiers, according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“We’ve officially transitioned from a rescue operation to a recovery mission,” Donnelly explained, adding, “There are no signs of survivors at this time.” This marks the deadliest air disaster in the U.S. since November 12, 2001, when an American Airlines flight crashed in New York, killing 260 people.
Among those on the commercial flight were at least 14 figure skaters, coaches, and family members returning from the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Included in the tragic toll were Russian champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, winners of the 1994 World Pair Skating Championship.
The commercial aircraft involved, a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita to Washington, D.C. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane was in its final approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter, which had been conducting a training flight. The Black Hawk belonged to the 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and is responsible for transportation and technical support in the D.C. area. The exact departure point of the helicopter remains unknown.
Flight records indicate that the CRJ700 was scheduled to land around 9:00 p.m. local time, but at 8:53 p.m., Washington police received multiple reports of an aircraft accident over the Potomac River.
“Both aircraft were following standard flight patterns,” said new Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “We still don’t know why the military helicopter was on the flight path of the commercial plane,” added Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines.
Air traffic at Reagan National was grounded until 11:00 a.m. Thursday to allow for rescue and investigative operations.
Reagan National is one of the most congested airspaces in the country, with commercial flights sharing the skies with military and civilian helicopters. According to radio recordings from the control tower, an operator had instructed the helicopter to pass behind the jet. The last recorded communication came from the Black Hawk pilot: “PAT 2-5 has the aircraft in sight, requesting visual separation.” Thirteen seconds later, a stunned exclamation from the tower accompanied the moment of impact.
The Pentagon confirmed that the helicopter was carrying only military personnel, with no high-ranking officials on board. Military helicopters frequently fly near Reagan National due to the proximity of the Anacostia-Bolling military base across the Potomac River, home to U.S. Air Force and Navy units. However, civilian and military aircraft follow separate, designated flight corridors.
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran called the tragedy a devastating blow to the state: “Many will know someone on that flight, or their family.”
Recovery operations have been hampered by the harsh conditions of the Potomac River, Washington’s main waterway. “The water is about 2.5 meters deep, murky, and freezing, with floating debris,” Donnelly explained. Around 300 rescuers are braving sub-zero temperatures, where hypothermia can set in within minutes, in an attempt to recover the bodies.
According to the National Weather Service, sudden immersion in such cold water can cause uncontrollable gasping and loss of consciousness within 15-30 minutes. Estimated survival time in these conditions ranges from 30 to 90 minutes.
President Donald Trump has stated that he has been briefed on the incident and is closely monitoring the situation. “May God bless the souls of the victims. Thank you to our incredible first responders,” he wrote in an official statement. On Truth Social, the president suggested that the tragedy “seems like it could have been avoided,” though he did not specify on what basis he made this statement. Vice President JD Vance also expressed condolences, urging the public to “pray for the victims.”
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation into the incident to determine the cause and assess any potential responsibility. Investigators are reviewing radar records, flight data, and radio communications to piece together the final moments before the collision.
