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A passenger jet and a military helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport outside Washington late on Wednesday, the US Federal Aviation Administration said.
The regional flight, operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, had originated in Wichita, Kansas. The Bombardier CRJ700 and a US Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided as the jet approached the airport around 9pm.
Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department said on X that “a multi-agency search and rescue operation is under way” in the Potomac river as first responders searched for survivors. There was no immediate confirmation of any casualties.
Sirens blared across the US capital as dozens of police cars swarmed both sides of the river near the scene of the crash, closing off roads to traffic, while helicopters with searchlights circled above.
American Airlines said its American Eagle flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew, “was involved in an accident” at Reagan National.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,” the airline added. “We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”
A US defence official said there was a crew of three on board the helicopter but no senior personnel. The Black Hawk was on a training flight, according to Heather Chairez, spokesperson for the Army’s Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.
A second defence official said the status of the helicopter crew was unknown. The Army said the Black Hawk was operating out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
“We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available,” the Army said in a statement.
In a statement, US President Donald Trump said he had been “fully briefed on the terrible accident”.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s recently confirmed defence secretary, wrote that the Army and defence department had opened an investigation into the crash.
The airport, located on the Virginia side of the Potomac, near the Pentagon and across from the National Mall, said all take-offs and landings had been stopped but the terminal remained open.
A spokesperson for Sikorsky, which makes the Black Hawk helicopter and is owned by defence contractor Lockheed Martin, said: “We have offered our support to the investigation and our customer.”
MHI RJ Aviation, which acquired the CRJ series of aircraft and supporting operations from Bombardier in 2020, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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