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A jet operated by PSA Airlines – part of the American Airlines group – collided with a helicopter as it was approaching Reagan Washington National Airport Wednesday evening, and all takeoffs and landings have been halted.
According to a statement from the FAA, “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.”
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board, according to American Airlines. The aircraft type is fitted with 65 seats.
A statement from Reagan Washington National Airport confirmed that all takeoffs and landings had been halted. The airport confirmed that it will be closed until 5 a.m. ET on Thursday.
A statement from American Airlines said, “We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.”
Local officials confirmed that at least one aircraft was in the Potomac River. Washington, D.C. police said in a post on X that authorities are conducting search and rescue efforts in the river.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on X that he was at the FAA headquarters “closely monitoring the situation.” Duffy was confirmed as Transportation Secretary on Tuesday.
The FAA does not currently have a Senate-confirmed chief. Former National Business Aviation Association chief operating officer Chris Rocheleau is the FAA’s deputy administrator. President Trump has not yet announced a pick to lead the FAA.
Former FAA chief Mike Whitaker resigned from the post January 20.
The incident marks the first time there has been a commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009, when a regional carrier of Continental Airlines crashed into a house in Erie County, New York, killing all 49 passengers and crew on board.
The last time there was a plane crash in the Potomac River was January 13, 1982, when an Air Florida flight struck a bridge the 14th Street Bridge and went into the river. The flight had 74 passengers and five crew members. Only four passengers and one crew member survived.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation, according to a statement from the White House.
