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Fatalities Confirmed as Passenger Plane and Military Chopper Collide Mid-Air

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an update following a mid-air collision involving a regional American Airlines jet with dozens of passengers onboard and a military helicopter.

The incident occurred near Washington DC on Wednesday, January 30 night, raising concerns about potential mass casualties and leading to a suspension of all takeoffs and landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

American Airlines confirmed earlier reports that 60 passengers and four crew members were onboard the flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington DC.

By the time of publishing, fatalities had been confirmed, and rescuers had not yet pulled any survivors from the water.

“American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft,” American Airlines said in a statement on its website.

“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”

In its update, FAA confirmed that the collision occurred while the regional jet was approaching Runway 33 at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

American Airlines Plane Collides Mid-Air in Washington, DC
An American Airline Plane. PHOTO/American Air

The busy airport, located in Crystal City, Virginia, is the closest airport to Washington DC, lying less than five miles from the US capital.

Statement from the FAA on the American Airlines mid-air plane crash

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time.

PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.

Police and fire services said a multi-agency search and rescue operation was under way in the Potomac River following the tragic crash.

Preliminary reports indicated that the plane wreckage is in pieces in the water and that the helicopter is in the water nearby.

“Fireboats on scene,” the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said in a post on X.


Also Read: Witness Reveals How He Saved Occupants of Plane That Crashed on Highway Killing 3


The US army confirmed that its helicopter was carrying three personnel. According to the site Military.com, the Sikorsky H-60 can carry up to 11 fully equipped soldiers.

President Donald Trump was briefed late Wednesday on the “terrible accident.”

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,” said Trump in a statement.

Jeju Air passenger plane crashes in South Korea airport

The American Airlines aircraft crash comes weeks after another plane crashed in South Korea claiming the lives of more than 165 people on December 29, 2024.


Also Read: Passenger Shares Video of Last Moments Before Plane Crash That Killed Dozens


The Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at an airport in the southwestern part of the country shortly after 09:05 local time -03:00 Kenyan time- when the aircraft was landing at Muan International Airport on its return trip from Bangkok, Thailand.

In footage seen by The Kenya Times, the plane was seen attempting to land without its landing gear deployed before skidding against the ground and later exploding leaving it engulfed in flames.

The plane was almost completely destroyed by the explosion.

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American Airlines Plane Collides Mid-Air in Washington, DC
Screengrabs of a footage showing an airplane belonging to Jeju Air skidding along the ground at Muan International Airport in South Korea before crashing into a concrete wall, exploding, and engulfing in flames. PHOTO/BNO News

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Jason Ndunyu

Jason Ndunyu is a Digital Media Journalist at The Kenya Times with a passion for research and fact-checking. He delivers engaging content across diverse topics, with a special interest in the dynamic world of Sports. You can reach him at jason.ndunyu@thekenyatimes.com

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