American Plane with 80 Passengers Crashes Into Helicopter

A tragic incident unfolded near Washington, D.C., on the evening of January 29, 2025, when an American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac River. The American Airlines flight AA5342, a CRJ700 jet traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, crashed after colliding with a Black Hawk helicopter. The aircraft, carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, was reportedly attempting to land at the airport when the crash occurred at around 9 p.m. local time.

Emergency services, including fireboats and fire trucks, were immediately dispatched to the scene, and a search operation is underway in the river. The FAA confirmed the crash involved a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, but further details about the helicopter’s passengers and the cause of the collision are still unclear.

Vice President JD Vance expressed his condolences, urging people to pray for the victims, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump was made aware of the situation. She also stated that the collision appeared to involve a military helicopter and a regional jet. The situation remains under investigation, with officials promising to release more details as they become available.