A passenger aircraft carrying 64 individuals collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport while approaching the runway, according to federal and defense officials. Emergency crews are actively responding to the incident, which occurred over the Potomac River.
At this time, authorities have not confirmed any casualties, the Metropolitan Police Department stated. The aircraft involved, American Airlines Flight 5342, had 60 passengers and four crew members on board and had departed from Wichita, Kansas. The White House has acknowledged that a military helicopter was involved in the accident.
As a result of the collision, all departures and arrivals at Reagan National Airport have been suspended. Emergency responders are conducting search and rescue operations in the Potomac, with multiple agencies involved in the ongoing efforts.
The situation is being closely monitored by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was sworn into office earlier today.
He is currently stationed at the Federal Aviation Administration’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., assessing developments. “I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation,” Duffy posted on X.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the cause of the collision. Investigations are underway as officials work to determine what led to the incident.
