
A tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. has left many feared dead and raised questions about air traffic control procedures.
Quick Takes
- An American Airlines CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew collided with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
- The crash occurred near Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in both aircraft crashing into the water.
- Air traffic control audio captured the final moments before the collision, including instructions for the helicopter to pass behind the jet.
- Several U.S. Figure Skaters were on board the American Airlines flight, while no senior military officials were on the helicopter.
- This marks the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009, prompting investigations by the Army and Department of Defense.
Fatal Collision Over the Potomac
An American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided in midair. The CRJ700 Bombardier jet, carrying 64 passengers and crew, including several U.S. Figure Skaters, was approaching Reagan Washington National Airport when it encountered the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
The collision occurred about half a mile off the approach to Runway 33, sending both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River. The moment of impact was captured by a webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, showing a fireball erupting as the two aircraft made contact.
DISPATCH AUDIO FROM REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT: An American Airlines small eagle plane collided with a military helicopter, crashing into the Potomac River near D.C.'s Reagan National Airport Wednesday.
More details: https://t.co/4UREknpVPM pic.twitter.com/d55WFgEwsp— NBC Montana (@NBCMontana) January 30, 2025
Air Traffic Control’s Desperate Attempts
Audio recordings from LiveATC.net provide a chilling account of the moments leading up to the crash. Air traffic controllers can be heard attempting to guide the aircraft to safety, with one controller instructing the helicopter, “PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.”
Moments later, the gravity of the situation became apparent as controllers declared an emergency. “Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three,” one controller urgently announced, signaling the occurrence of an accident. The airport’s operations were immediately shut down indefinitely, with flights suspended until at least 11 a.m. the following day.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the collision, first responders rushed to the scene, searching the Potomac River for any potential survivors. However, given the nature of the crash, many were feared dead. The U.S. Army confirmed that the helicopter was conducting a training flight from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir.
While it was confirmed that no senior military officials were aboard the helicopter, the presence of U.S. Figure Skaters on the American Airlines flight added a poignant dimension to the tragedy. The skating community, along with the nation, now mourns the potential loss of these athletes.
Investigation Underway
As the shock of the incident reverberates through the aviation community and beyond, both the Army and the Department of Defense have initiated investigations into the crash. This marks the first accident involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009, raising questions about air traffic control procedures and safety measures in the busy airspace around the nation’s capital.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were reported to be clear, with 10 miles visibility and winds from the northwest at 16 mph, gusting to 26 mph. These factors will undoubtedly be scrutinized as part of the comprehensive investigation into how such a catastrophic event could occur in what is typically considered highly controlled airspace.
Sources:
Air Traffic Controller Captures Crash Audio
Air traffic control audio details deadly Washington plane crash: ‘I just saw a fireball’