American Airline Jet and Helicopter Crash
On January 29, 2025, an American Airlines regional jet, American Eagle Flight 5342, collided in midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington and crashed into the Potomac River. There were 64 people on board the plane, including 60 passengers and 4 crew members, while the helicopter was carrying 3 soldiers.Authorities have recovered at least 18 bodies so far, but there are no survivors. Rescue operations are still ongoing, involving multiple agencies.
Witnesses reported seeing an explosion in the air after the plane crashed into the river.US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and praised the first responders. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed their condolences to the US government and the families of the victims.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash involved a PSA Airlines CRJ700 aircraft, operated by American Airlines, and was scheduled to land at Reagan National Airport after flying from Wichita, Kansas. Following the crash, all flights at the airport were suspended.
US Figure Skating confirmed that several skaters, including coaches and family members, returning from the US Figure Skating Championships were on board the flight. The victims may include Russian figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova, Vadim Naumov and their son Maxim, according to reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, but concerns remain about aviation safety in the United States. The last major fatal plane crash in the United States occurred in 2009. The FAA is still operating without a permanent administrator, raising new concerns about aviation oversight. Rescue teams are still searching the Potomac River for survivors or other victims.
