Midair Tragedy Near Nation’s Capital: 67 Killed in Plane-Helicopter Collision

WASHINGTON — A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night resulted in the deaths of all 67 people on board both aircraft.

The crash occurred at approximately 9 p.m. ET as the American Eagle flight, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was on its final approach to Runway 33. The Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, part of a routine training mission from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, collided with the plane mid-flight, sending both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River.

‘We don’t believe there are any survivors,’ said District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly during an early Thursday briefing. Recovery operations are ongoing, with the crash site spanning multiple debris fields in the river.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, with Chair Jennifer Homendy noting that both aircraft’s flight data recorders have been located underwater. Experts emphasize the critical role these devices will play in determining the cause of the collision.

Preliminary data indicates the helicopter was flying at an altitude of approximately 400 feet, exceeding the 200-foot restriction for helicopters in the area. The American Airlines jet was at around 375-400 feet. Questions surround air traffic control procedures, with reports suggesting a single controller managed both helicopter and fixed-wing traffic, a task typically assigned to two personnel.

Nationally, the tragedy has sparked immediate reactions. President Trump addressed the nation Thursday, expressing condolences and vowing to investigate. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pledged a thorough inquiry, emphasizing safety as the top priority.

Among the victims were members of the U.S. figure skating community, including coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, along with several young skaters and their families. The crash also claimed the lives of Army personnel, including Captain Rebecca Lobach, a former White House aide.

Reagan National Airport remained closed until late Thursday morning, with flights resuming cautiously. The incident marks the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in over 15 years, prompting widespread grief and calls for improved air safety measures.