A mid-air collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and a regional jet near Reagan International Airport in DC was caught on camera from the Kennedy Center Wednesday night, prompting a massive response from fire, EMS, and police.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that President Trump is aware of the situation, adding that it "tragically appears a military helicopter collided with a regional jet."
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
In response to the incident, nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport halted all takeoffs and landings as emergency personnel responded do an "aircraft incident on the airfield."
DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services posted to X shortly after 9 p.m. that a small aircraft was down in the Potomac River near the airport, and that boats managed by the fire department were on the scene.
Confirmed small aircraft down in Potomac River vicinity Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene. #DCsBravest
— DC Fire and EMS Department (@dcfireems) January 30, 2025
Unconfirmed reports are saying that the plane was a CRJ-700 commercial airliner capable of carrying up to 70 passengers.
Fire boats collecting bodies from around the debris field per live scanner traffic.
— Tyler Anderson, MD (@DoctorTyMD) January 30, 2025
American Airlines 5342 from Wichita, Kansas was on short final for DCA airport when it collided with a police or military helicopter over the river.
— Tyler Anderson, MD (@DoctorTyMD) January 30, 2025
In a post to X, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) said he had seen reports of a collision with a DC helicopter and a flight that was inbound from Wichita, Kansas.
"We are in contact with authorities working to get answers," Marshall wrote. "We ask you to join us in prayer for every single passenger and their families."
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