The incident occurred around 9pm local time (2pm GMT) as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
It was carrying 64 passengers and crew, and 18 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River so far where it crashed.
Search and rescue teams are scouring the waters in freezing temperatures, according to the BBC’s broadcast partner, CBS.
An American Airlines passenger jet has collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. The jet was reportedly carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, while three US Army soldiers were on board the helicopter.
The midair collision happened near Washington’s Ronald Reagan… pic.twitter.com/4RAUG3qVmC
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) January 30, 2025
What we know so far about the Washington airplane crash
A PSA Airlines jet operating as American Airlines 5432 collided with a US Army helicopter late on Wednesday, January 29 in the United States.
The passenger plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, departed from Wichita, Kansas and was carrying 60 passengers and four crew, according to American Airlines.
BBC News reports that the helicopter involved was a Sikorsky H-60 that took off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
The FAA said it would investigate the incident, together with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
There has been no official word on casualties. However, CBS reported that 18 bodies have been pulled from the water.
Early reports on US media said the passenger plane could be seen split in half on the Potomac River, while the helicopter was upside down in the water.
Police and fire department have been searching the water for survivors in freezing temperatures, with police boats assisting.
The search and rescue could be seen from Ronald Reagan Airport, which is near the river,
Alongside this, the airport has grounded all flights while search and rescue efforts are being carried out.
President Donald Trump said he had been fully briefed on the “terrible accident” and that he was monitoring the situation closely.
Less than four hours after the crash, he posted on his Truth Social platform.
A passenger plane and helicopter have collided in the skies above Washington DC.
A web camera shot from the Kennedy Center showed a flash of light mid-air across the Potomac River around 8.47pm local time.https://t.co/giM6v2ky4J pic.twitter.com/LNGGlWLSIF
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 30, 2025
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport,” Trump wrote.
“The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing.
“Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
He also thanked first responders for their “incredible work,” noting that he was “monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise”.
