On January 29, 2025, a passenger plane crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., following a mid-air collision with a military helicopter. The incident occurred as a regional flight operated by PSA Airlines was attempting to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 9:00 PM local time.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that American Airlines Flight 5342, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a helicopter, believed to be a D.C. police helicopter, while approaching the airport. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Aircraft traffic at Ronald Reagan National Airport was halted following the incident, as emergency personnel responded to the scene. The D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department confirmed that a small aircraft had gone down in the vicinity of the Potomac River, and fireboats were deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations.
As of now, the number of individuals on board the aircraft remains unknown, and there has been no confirmation of casualties. Authorities continue to assess the situation and search for survivors.