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- Washington DC Plane Crash Live Updates: Two Indian-origin passengers among 67 killed in the mid-air crash
Washington DC Plane Crash Live Updates: Two Indian-origin passengers among 67 killed in the mid-air crash
In a Truth Social post, Trump raised concerns about the crash, writing, "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane? This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
Trump also issued a statement expressing condolences for the victims and commending first responders. "I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise," he said.
The crash occurred around 9 pm local time over the Potomac River, resulting in multiple fatalities, according to law enforcement sources.
Several members of US figure skating community aboard crashed plane: Reports
Several members of the US figure skating community were on the passenger jet that crashed in Washington after colliding with a military helicopter. US Figure Skating expressed devastation, offering heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, according to the Washington Post.
'Nothing short of nightmare': Senator Roger Marshall posted on X
— RogerMarshallMD (@RogerMarshallMD) US vice president JD Vance on mid-air collision
— JDVance (@JDVance) US President Donald Trump responded to the mid-air collision between a passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night, calling the incident "NOT GOOD" and questioning helicopter's flight path on a "CLEAR NIGHT."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump questioned why the helicopter didn’t avoid the plane, writing, "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane? This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
US crash: Three new videos show horrifying mid-air collision in Washington - Watch
03:29Washington DC Plane Crash Live: Helicopter, jet 'in the water'
Helicopter, jet involved in crash both 'in the water' of Potomac River, says DC mayor.
Washington fire chief John Donnelly says responders conducting search and rescue operations are facing "extremely rough" conditions.
A passenger jet collided with a military helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, leading to an emergency response and the suspension of all take-offs and landings.
The commercial jet was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, while the helicopter had three US Army soldiers aboard. Authorities have since recovered 18 bodies from the river.
Washington DC Plane Crash Live: Trump says Washington air crash 'should have been prevented'
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the crash between a US Army helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington "should have been prevented."
"Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding: "NOT GOOD!!!"
Washington DC Plane Crash Live: American Airlines confirms 60 passengers, 4 crew aboard crashed jet
American Airlines confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the commercial jet that crashed into the Potomac River late Wednesday following a mid-air collision with a military helicopter near Washington, DC.
In a statement, the airline said, "American Eagle Flight 5342, operating from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington, DC (DCA), was involved in an accident near Reagan National Airport. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board."
Authorities continue search and rescue efforts as investigations into the cause of the crash unfold.
'Apparent air crash' in Potomac River: Washington police
Multiple crews were responding Wednesday after an "apparent air crash" in the Potomac River in Washington, with Reagan National Airport reporting closed runways due to an ongoing emergency.
"MPD is responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are responding," Washington's Metropolitan Police Department posted on X, while the DC Fire and emergency response services said fireboats were responding to "small aircraft down in Potomac River" in the vicinity of the airport.
American Plane Crash Live: Plane carrying more than 60 collides with helicopter, crashes in Washington
A US passenger plane carrying 64 people crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River near Washington, DC, on Wednesday night after a mid-air collision with a military helicopter.
The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response and led to the temporary grounding of all flights in the area.
The aircraft, operated by an American Airlines subsidiary, was on its final approach to Reagan National Airport after departing from Kansas. According to the airline, 60 passengers and four crew members were on board.
The US Army confirmed that the helicopter involved was a Black Hawk carrying three soldiers on a nighttime training exercise. Their status remains unknown, with military officials stating that further details would be provided as the investigation unfolds.
While authorities have yet to confirm casualties, rescue teams were seen diving into the river amid freezing conditions. The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, reported that multiple bodies had already been recovered.
Eyewitness Ari Schulman described the dramatic scene, saying he initially saw the plane flying normally before the collision sent "a stream of sparks" into the night sky, resembling a firework explosion.
Emergency crews continue search and rescue efforts as officials work to determine the cause of the deadly crash.
FAA reports reveal that the DC tower was understaffed before the collision happened.
The Army confirmed that three soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter at the time of the crash. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collision, and all flights at Reagan National were suspended as divers scoured the crash site and law enforcement helicopters searched overhead.
“We are going to recover our fellow citizens,” said Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser during a Thursday morning press conference, where she declined to disclose how many bodies had been recovered.
President Donald Trump said he had been “fully briefed on this terrible accident" and offered prayers for the victims, stating, “May God bless their souls.”
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the crash occurred just before 9pm EST as American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-701 jet arriving from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the Army helicopter, which was on a training mission.
The accident happened in heavily monitored airspace, just three miles from the White House and the Capitol.
Flight data indicated that the jet was descending at about 400 feet and 140 mph when it suddenly lost altitude over the Potomac River. Shortly before impact, air traffic controllers had cleared the aircraft to land on Runway 33.
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, a controller radioed the helicopter to confirm it had visual contact with the incoming jet. Moments later, another transmission instructed the helicopter to “pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds after that call, the two aircraft collided.
The jet’s radio transponder stopped transmitting roughly 2,400 feet short of the runway, over the middle of the river.
Investigators are now working to reconstruct the aircrafts' final moments, including reviewing air traffic communications and flight data, to determine how the tragedy unfolded.
