BREAKING: American Airlines Plane and Army Helicopter Collide Near Washington, DC – What You Need to Know

A large-scale search and rescue operation is currently underway after a devastating midair collision between a passenger aircraft and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, just outside Washington, DC. The crash, which involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and the military helicopter, occurred over the freezing waters of the Potomac River. The aircraft was carrying 64 individuals—60 passengers and 4 crew members—when it collided with the Black Hawk, which was on a training mission and carrying three soldiers. Aviation and defense officials have confirmed that the collision has resulted in fatalities, though no survivors have been pulled from the water as of yet.

Approximately 300 first responders have been deployed to search the icy waters of the Potomac River, where the wreckage of the plane and helicopter have been located. The American Airlines flight, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was en route to Washington, DC when the crash occurred. The Black Hawk helicopter, which is now also submerged nearby, was conducting a routine training flight at the time.

As authorities work to recover the wreckage, the incident has led to the closure of Reagan National Airport, with operations expected to resume no earlier than 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, according to airport officials.

In response to the tragedy, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, expressing his concern and calling the crash “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.” Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway, as officials work to piece together the events leading to this horrific collision.