Washington DC: A commercial airplane struck an Army helicopter during landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport close to Washington on Wednesday January 29.
All departures and arrivals at the airport close to Washington were suspended. As per reports by the Associated Press, audio from the air traffic control tower at the time of the crash was recorded with the air control tower.
Here is the relevant audio from the DCA tower. Starts with controller asking the helicopter (PAT-25) if it has the CRJ in sight, and instructs it to pass behind the plane. Then you hear controllers responding to the collision in the background, then instructions to other planes. pic.twitter.com/IZeGCZK3br
— Brian Bartlett (@BrianBartlett) January 30, 2025
Fewer than 30 seconds prior to the crash, an air traffic controller inquired if the helicopter (PAT 25) see the incoming plane (CRJ), “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” It then again makes another radio call to PAT25 moments later, “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.”
Nonetheless, there was no reply received, and the two planes crashed few moments later. Another pilot, from the plane passing by, can be heard inquiring about the collison, “Tower, did you see that?”
The air traffic controller promptly started rerouting additional planes from Reagan National Airport, as reported by AP. A disturbing video showing the passenger jet crashing into the military helicopter in mid-air has also surfaced on social media.
US Army Blackhawk collides with passenger plane, both break up and fall into river, Washington airport closed #planecrash #PlaneCrash #WashingtonDC #DC #PotomacRiver #USA #UnitedStates #America #Plane #CRASH https://t.co/NzDSlZkp03 pic.twitter.com/81xpC3VJ4v
— Indian Observer (@ag_Journalist) January 30, 2025
Washington DC Plane Accident
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the midair collision happened at approximately 9pm EST when a regional jet leaving Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military Blackhawk helicopter during its approach to an airport runway.
The White House stated that US President Donald Trump was informed about the incident.
There was no immediate information on injuries. On its website, American Airlines stated, "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."