On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at approximately 8:48 p.m. EST, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter.
“On final approach into Reagan National, it collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said. “At this time, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the…aircraft.”
As of 8 a.m. EST on Thursday, January 30, 2025, twenty-eight deceased passengers had been rescued from the Potomac River. Of the 60+ passengers and crew aboard both aircraft, no individuals reportedly survived the crash.
“We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said. “At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”
The regional jet departed Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas, at approximately 6:18 p.m. EST on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. At approximately 8:45 p.m. EST on Wednesday, the regional jet approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. Approximately two minutes later, air traffic controllers attempted to contact the helicopter and alert the pilot of the regional jet preparing to land. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter and jet collided, leaving more than five dozen dead.
“The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation,” the FAA stated.
