On the evening of January 29, 2025, a tragic mid-air collision occurred over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
The American Eagle Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700, was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the helicopter. The impact caused both aircraft to crash into the river, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals on board; 64 passengers and crew members from the jet and three soldiers from the helicopter.
The collision led to the jet breaking apart upon impact, complicating rescue operations. Among the victims were members of the U.S. figure skating community and four union members. Recovery efforts have been challenging due to the conditions of the crash site.
An internal report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revealed that staffing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) was “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic” on Wednesday night. The report highlights potential concerns about workload distribution and operational efficiency in the air traffic control (ATC) tower.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collision. This process will involve analyzing flight data recorders, air traffic control communications, and other relevant information.