American Airlines Flight Collides With Army Helicopter in Washington, D.C.

Update 10:45 a.m. EST:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media that the crew on the Black Hawk helicopter was “a fairly experienced crew” that was doing night evaluations.

All flights from the U.S. Army in Washington are on a 48-hour pause as the investigation continues. Reagan National (DCA) is still on track to reopen at 11 a.m. EST.

The Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts, a 100-year-old figure skating club, confirmed early Thursday that six of its members or their friends and family, including two teenagers, were among those killed in the crash.

Update 7:50 a.m. EST:

According to a statement from the Washington D.C. Fire Chief, 27 bodies have been recovered, and the expectation is that there are no survivors, which would make the crash the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. in more than two decades.

While the cause is still unknown, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who was just sworn in this week, said that his Department “will not rest until we have answers.”

Original coverage:

Rescue efforts are ongoing after an American Airlines regional jet carrying 64 passengers and crew collided midair with a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.

American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, a CRJ-700 aircraft, was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, and was descending into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) around 9 p.m. EST when it collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter flying south.

According to authorities, the jet plunged into the Potomac River after the collision, where rescue efforts have been underway since.

There were four crew members and 60 passengers onboard the American flight, along with three people on the helicopter. According to NBC Washington, more than 30 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac as of 6:30 a.m. EST, with efforts still underway.

While the identities of many onboard remain unknown, the Kremlin confirmed that two Russian figure skaters, who won gold at the 1994 World Championships and competed in two Winter Olympics, were among the passengers.

It is not clear what caused the collision. NBC Washington, which obtained air traffic control recordings from Wednesday night, reported that controllers instructed the helicopter to pass behind the landing aircraft.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a video statement late Wednesday.

“This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones. I know that there are many questions, and at this early stage, I will not be able to answer all of them.”

Isom said the airline’s focus is on taking care of passengers, crew members, and their families. American has set up a helpline at 1-800-679-8215 for family and friends of those onboard.

Washington Reagan (DCA) will remain closed until at least 11 a.m. EST on Thursday as rescue efforts continue.