A devastating midair collision between a military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, resulted in the loss of 28 lives. Security footage appears to capture the moment of impact, showing a fiery explosion. First responders confirmed the transition from rescue to recovery efforts, with no survivors expected.
The collision involved PSA Airlines Flight 5342, operating for American Airlines, en route from Wichita, Kansas, and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter on a training mission from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The helicopter, a UH-60 Black Hawk, was crewed by military personnel, one of whom has been recovered. The co-pilot, a female with 500 flight hours, and the crew chief, Ryan O'Hara with 1,000 flight hours, were among those on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, crucial pieces of evidence that will help investigators understand the events leading up to the collision. Among the passengers on the American Airlines flight were members of the U.S. Figure Skating community returning from a national development camp.
Rep. Eric Swalwell reported landing at Reagan National Airport just minutes before the incident. Former President Donald Trump commented on the tragedy, questioning the actions of the helicopter and air traffic control. This incident follows a near-miss the previous night involving another aircraft and a helicopter at the same airport, raising concerns about air traffic procedures. The investigation is ongoing, with the NTSB leading the effort.
