A commercial airplane collided with a Black Hawk helicopter in midair on Wednesday night as the jet, operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, was attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. ET as the Bombardier CRJ-700 jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was approaching the runway. Federal aviation officials have not reported any fatalities, but the accident has the potential to be one of the most significant disasters in U.S. airspace in over 15 years.
American Airlines expressed concern for the passengers and crew on board, stating they were in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency efforts. The Pentagon confirmed that the Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers on board, was from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
READ ALSO: Flying Over the Grand Canyon with a Helicopter
A webcam at the nearby John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts showed the collision at a low altitude, followed by an explosion. Radar tracking indicated the passenger jet likely crashed into the frigid Potomac River. DC Fire and EMS confirmed a small aircraft, presumably the helicopter, fell into the river, prompting a coordinated search and rescue operation.
The airspace around Reagan National is complex, with challenging approaches and heavy air traffic, including police and military helicopters. President Trump expressed his condolences, stating he was closely monitoring the situation and praised first responders for their efforts.
This incident marks the most significant air disaster in the U.S. since 2009 when a Colgan Air flight crashed near Buffalo, killing 50 people.
