What We Know About the Deadly Mid-Air Collision Over the Potomac
Washington, D.C. — A tragic mid-air collision between a passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night left no survivors, President Trump confirmed Thursday. The aircraft crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, and while recovery efforts continue, many victims remain unidentified.
Details of the Crash
The passenger jet, American Eagle Flight 5342, was a regional airliner operated by PSA Airlines, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members on a flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C.
The helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk, belonged to the U.S. Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was on a training flight.
According to the FAA, the two aircraft collided around 9 p.m. as the American Eagle flight was approaching a runway at Reagan National Airport. A livestream camera at the Kennedy Center captured the moment of impact, showing a fireball over the river at 8:47 p.m.
Victims and Recovery Efforts
D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly reported that recovery teams have retrieved 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter so far. The cold temperatures and windy conditions have made recovery efforts challenging.
Among the victims were several prominent figure skaters from both the U.S. and Russia, including members of the Skating Club of Boston:
Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, along with their mothers
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, Russian-born skaters who won the 1994 World Figure Skating Championship and were coaching in the U.S.
Asra Hussain Raza, a 26-year-old consultant who had recently relocated to D.C.
Four members of Steamfitters United Association Local 602, a Maryland-based labor union.
Crew chief of the helicopter was identified as 29-year-old Ryan O'Hara, a husband and father of a 1-year-old son.
Authorities report that human remains and debris have been washing up on the Virginia side of the river. The plane broke apart into multiple pieces, which are now submerged in 5-8 feet of water.
Investigators have recovered one of the plane’s black boxes, but it is unclear whether it is the cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder. Divers have also begun retrieving luggage from the wreckage.
The helicopter remains largely intact but is upside down in the river.
Political Reactions and Investigation
President Trump addressed the crash in a White House briefing Thursday morning, confirming the loss of all lives aboard. “I speak to you this morning in an hour of anguish for our nation,” he said.
While Trump initially expressed condolences, he quickly pivoted to criticizing diversity hiring initiatives, though he offered no evidence linking these policies to the crash. He announced the appointment of Christopher Rocheleau as acting FAA commissioner, stating, "We have some pretty good ideas" about what caused the tragedy.
On Truth Social, Trump suggested the accident "should have been prevented", adding, “NOT GOOD!!!”
Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is actively monitoring the situation.
Lawmakers also reacted:
Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall called the crash a “nightmare” and offered prayers for the victims' families.
Alexandria, Virginia, Mayor Alyia Gaskins assured that emergency personnel were providing assistance.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine acknowledged the many unanswered questions about how the collision occurred.
First Major U.S. Commercial Crash in 16 Years
The last major U.S. commercial air disaster happened in 2009, when Continental Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing 49 people.
The last major American Airlines crash was in 2001, when Flight 587 crashed near JFK Airport, killing 265 people.
The investigation into the Potomac collision is ongoing, with officials emphasizing the need for thorough analysis before drawing conclusions.
