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American Airlines flight AA5342 from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) was landing at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) when the regional CRJ-700 jet operating as American Eagle reportedly collided with a helicopter. The aircraft is said to have crashed into the Potomac River. All takeoffs and landings have been suspended at the airport as this incident is ongoing.
All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update.
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) January 30, 2025
The D.C Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department has deployed fireboats on the scene.
‼️ PLANE CRASH IN DC. PLEASE PRAY RIGHT NOW.
One report I saw stated this ⬇️
American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas inbound to DCA has reportedly collided midair with a D.C. Police Helicopter on approach and crashed into the Potomac River. Number of people onboard… pic.twitter.com/jOdi6zXhij
— Dr. Malachi – (Dr. Run) (@malachiobrien) January 30, 2025
News is scant as to what actually happened and how many fatalities there are as a result of the collision.
Initial reports are there 64 people on the plane. 60 passenger and 4 crew.
— Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) January 30, 2025
Initial reports say that there were 60 passengers and four crew on the aircraft.
This zoomed-in view of the collision is crazy.
So much traffic flying in and out of DCA and so much control of this air space, you have to wonder how this can happen.
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) January 30, 2025
Video shows the collision. The flight was operated by regional carrier, PSA Airlines for American Airlines.
PLANE CRASH: it appears as though a regional jet CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines for American has crashed into the Potomac River.
This was AA5342 ICT to DCA.
Flightradar24 suggests it comes up short of runway on landing, and then helicopters fly over the scene at the end. pic.twitter.com/wHp1nBEoOJ
— Jacob Wycoff (@4cast4you) January 30, 2025
We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.
— americanair (@AmericanAir) January 30, 2025
American provided the statement above in its social media posts.
For more information, visit https://t.co/ECDOdj1kdr. pic.twitter.com/Z5vWq4vUJ2
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) January 30, 2025
Anthony’s Take: This story is just breaking and we will need to wait to see what is determined. This does not look good for the passengers in either the plane or helicopter. Hopefully, injuries and deaths are minimal, but it looks like this might not be possible. Such sad news out of DCA. Prior to this accident, there had not been a major crash involving a commercial aircraft on US soil in almost 16 years.
(Featured Image Credit: American Airlines.)
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1 comment
I am devastated for everyone involved, as I know we all are. I am reading everything voraciously because so many I love live near ICT.
This is only an aside, Anthony, and I know in this case it was useful and you wouldn’t know otherwise, but watch out for that “Dr Malachi” guy and giving him a shred of publicity. He’s someone you would not like and who does not hesitate to make news when he can’t find some. I say this in kindness because you are the opposite and truly care. Locals in the KCMO area know. But at least this time he posted something that happened… I only wish he had been inventing this one. So very awful.