Washington, January 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: At least 18 people were killed when a passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair over Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, according to Fox News.
The passenger jet, originating from Kansas, crashed into Washington’s Potomac River following the tragic collision, prompting a major emergency response and grounding all flights, officials reported. President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation and expressed concerns, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that it appeared a military helicopter had collided with a regional jet.
Although details about the number of people aboard either aircraft were initially unclear, it was reported that the Bombardier regional jet involved could carry up to 78 passengers. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) ordered the grounding of all planes at Reagan airport, and Washington police confirmed that “multiple agencies” were responding to the crash site on the Potomac River.
Fireboats joined the rescue operation, and the hazardous conditions, including darkness and near-freezing temperatures, made the operation challenging. Dozens of fire trucks were seen heading toward the airport. The FAA confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier regional jet collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which was approaching the airport for landing at around 9 pm. The plane had departed from Wichita, Kansas.
PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the commercial jet. Three soldiers were reported to have been aboard the helicopter. The Washington Post reported that multiple bodies had been recovered from the water, while NBC News confirmed that four individuals were pulled alive from the Potomac River.
In the hours following the tragedy, President Trump took to social media to express his concerns, questioning why the helicopter did not take evasive action and why the control tower did not guide the helicopter away from the plane. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, expressed solidarity with the families of those affected and praised first responders. The Air Line Pilots Association also offered condolences and announced their participation in the investigation.