Midair Collision Near Reagan National: PSA Flight and Military Helicopter Crash plane crash

 

A PSA Airlines plane and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter collided midair late Wednesday evening as the aircraft prepared to land at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the collision occurred around 9 p.m. near Runway 33. The flight, operated by PSA for American Airlines, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, at approximately 5:20 p.m. The aircraft, a CRJ700 series, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the incident. Officials confirmed that three Army soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, which was conducting a routine training mission. Authorities have not yet disclosed the number of potential injuries resulting from the crash. Footage from an observation camera near the Kennedy Center appeared to capture two sets of lights consistent with an aircraft before a sudden explosion. Emergency response teams swiftly mobilized, with fireboats deployed to the scene and a Metropolitan Police Department helicopter assisting in the coordinated effort. WTOP reporter Mike Murillo described an extensive emergency response, with first responders arriving from across the D.C. region, including Fairfax and Montgomery counties. "I've covered incidents for two decades, and I have never seen this many first responders surrounding the Potomac River. The entire D.C. side is lit up," he reported from Daingerfield Island. Helicopters scoured the river with searchlights near Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, as authorities focused on multiple areas along the Potomac. Due to the distance, Murillo noted, it was unclear what activities were occurring at each site, but some locations appeared to involve search and recovery operations. As rescue efforts continue, the National Weather Service has maintained cold water advisories, warning that sudden immersion in 35-degree water could induce cold shock, an immediate physiological response that can trigger panic, increased heart rate, and a heightened risk of heart failure. Murillo described the eerie stillness near Reagan National Airport following the incident. "Everything is silent. You can see the roads along the river, but traffic is sparse. While the George Washington Memorial Parkway remains open, many ramps are blocked by police to ensure first responders have clear access to the scene." D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a statement offering thoughts and prayers for those involved, pledging to provide public updates as more information becomes available. President Donald Trump stated he had been "fully briefed on this terrible incident." Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced that the state’s Department of Emergency Management had raised its emergency operations to "Enhanced" status, deploying divers and law enforcement officers for rescue efforts. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also confirmed he had received updates from his Emergency Management team and Virginia State Police, emphasizing that "extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts." Reagan National Airport will remain closed until 5 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, though terminals remain open. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the collision.