Updated 9:45 a.m. – A mid-air collision near Reagan Washington National Airport Wednesday night claimed the lives of more than 60 individuals, including passengers and crew members from an American Airlines flight and military personnel.
The crash occurred at 8:48 p.m. as American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was descending into the airport, colliding with a military helicopter on a standard training mission.
Authorities have confirmed that there are no survivors from the accident. The flight, which had 60 passengers and four crew members aboard, was on its final approach to DCA when it collided with the helicopter, which was also in a routine flight pattern along the Potomac River.
The military helicopter, part of a training mission, took off from Fort Belvoir. Among the passengers on the American Airlines flight were several prominent ice skaters, including Russian-born former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, as well as multiple U.S. ice skaters, their families, and coaches, who were returning from events in Wichita, Kansas.
First responders from across the region, including the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, DC Fire and EMS, and Prince William County Fire and Rescue, worked through the night in challenging conditions, including frigid temperatures and ice-covered waters, to recover the victims’ bodies.
Prince William County Fire and Rescue assisted with the regional recovery efforts, dispatching several units to the scene:
- Command 3 (Mobile Command Post) with one staff member, who was released and returned overnight.
- Boat 512 with four staff members remained on the scene overnight and continues to assist as needed.
- Two additional staff members were dispatched to assist with the regional incident management team (IMT).
The incident has since deescalated and is now considered a recovery mission.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed sorrow, offering condolences to the victims’ families and urging those seeking information about their loved ones to contact the airline’s helpline. He also confirmed that the airline’s care team assists families during this difficult time.
During a press briefing, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed their grief for the loss of life. They praised the heroic efforts of the first responders. “Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragedy, and we are doing everything possible to support the victims’ families,” said Mayor Bowser. “This is a deeply sad moment for Washington, D.C., and the nation.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary information suggests that both aircraft were operating within standard flight paths, but further inquiry will be needed to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the crash. “This should not have happened,” Secretary Duffy stated. “We will work tirelessly to uncover the truth and ensure that safety protocols are fully understood and followed.”
Airport operations will resume at 11 a.m. Thursday, with flights returning to a regular schedule, though disruptions are expected as recovery efforts continue.
