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Army Black Hawk Collides with Passenger Jet Over Potomac River Near DC

Charlie Kirk Staff

01/30/2025

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Army Black Hawk Collides with Passenger Jet Over Potomac River Near DC

A large-scale search and rescue mission is in progress after a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided in midair near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday evening.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, was on approach to Runway 33 at around 9 p.m. local time when it made contact with a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The flight had originated from Wichita, Kansas. Officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the crash or any casualties, reports Fox.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the incident as tragic while speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, adding that President Donald Trump had been briefed. Trump later issued a statement, saying: “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.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, working alongside the FAA. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that emergency services were mobilized after receiving multiple calls at 8:53 p.m. reporting an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.

According to multiple reports, 18 bodies have thus far been recovered. There were 60 passengers on the flight, and three soliders on the helicopter. There have been no survivors recovered.

American Airlines confirmed reports that American Eagle Flight 5342 had been involved in an incident but did not provide further details.

The UH-60 Black Hawk, a twin-engine military helicopter used for various operations, had three soldiers on board at the time of the collision, according to Army officials.

“We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, during a training flight,” the Army told Fox News Digital. “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were reported as clear skies with 10 miles of visibility and sustained northwest winds at 16 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph. The temperature was 50 degrees.

Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, sworn in earlier that same day, stated he was at the scene and actively monitoring the situation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that all available U.S. Coast Guard resources were being deployed for search and rescue efforts and that her department was closely tracking developments.

Shortly before the collision, air traffic controllers had instructed the approaching PSA Airlines flight to land on Runway 33, which the pilots confirmed they could do. Tracking data showed the aircraft adjusting its approach accordingly.

Radio transmissions from the control tower recorded a controller asking the helicopter, “PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight?” referring to the passenger plane. Seconds later, another pilot was heard saying, “Tower, did you see that?” following the apparent collision.

A video posted to X, taken from a Kennedy Center webcam, appeared to capture a midair explosion near the Potomac River.

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Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.

Charlie is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast, which regularly ranks among the top-10 news shows on Apple podcast news charts, and is the host of the nationally syndicated daily radio show on the Salem Radio Network live from 12 - 3 PM ET.
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