A midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., has resulted in a major aviation disaster, with dozens feared dead. The accident occurred on January 29, 2025, as PSA Airlines Flight 5342, operating for American Airlines, was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three soldiers, collided with the commercial jet in restricted airspace before both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. Authorities have confirmed that at least 30 bodies have been recovered, while search and rescue operations continue.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), early findings suggest that an air traffic controller had instructed the military helicopter to pass behind the passenger jet, but an unforeseen deviation in flight path may have led to the tragic collision. The American Airlines flight, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the Black Hawk had three military personnel on board. Eyewitnesses described seeing fire and debris falling into the river, with explosions heard as both aircraft crashed into the water.

The rescue operation has been hampered by freezing temperatures and strong currents in the Potomac River, complicating efforts to locate survivors. Among the deceased are former world champion figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were returning from a training camp. Many passengers’ families gathered at Reagan Airport, awaiting news of their loved ones. The U.S. Coast Guard, local emergency responders, and military units have been deployed to recover remains and wreckage, with divers searching the submerged parts of the aircraft.

President Donald Trump called the incident “a terrible accident that should have been prevented”, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy assured the public that a full investigation is underway. American Airlines has set up a crisis hotline for victims’ families and is cooperating fully with investigators. This is the first major U.S. passenger airline crash since 2009, highlighting concerns over aviation safety in congested airspace near the nation’s capital.

As authorities investigate the cause of the collision, aviation experts have pointed to the complexity of shared civilian and military airspace, which has historically led to near-miss incidents. The NTSB has begun analyzing flight data recorders from both aircraft to determine whether human error, miscommunication, or mechanical failure played a role in the tragedy. The collision has reignited debates over air traffic control protocols and the need for stricter coordination between commercial and military flights. As Washington mourns the victims, questions remain about whether this disaster could have been avoided and what measures must be taken to prevent future midair collisions.