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BREAKING UPDATE: Commercial flight crashes with military helicopter over Potomac River

A tragic midair collision occurred near Reagan National Airport when a commercial flight and a Blackhawk helicopter crashed into the Potomac River. Authorities have confirmed the incident, which took place late Wednesday night.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement detailing the crash. “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ 700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9:00 pm local time. PSA was operating as flight 5342 for American Airlines, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in investigating the accident, with the FAA providing support.

In audio obtained from the air traffic control tower, an air traffic controller can be heard asking the helicopter pilot, “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” The helicopter was reportedly instructed to pass behind the passenger plane.

Fox News reported that the regional jet had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. Heather Chairez, a spokesperson for the Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region, confirmed that the helicopter carried three soldiers from the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir on a training mission.

Rescue operations began immediately, with over 300 first responders from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia rushing to the scene.

Townhall editor Katie Pavlich reported that 19 bodies have been recovered from the river. Fireboats and emergency medical teams continue their efforts to assess the situation and search for survivors.

The Metropolitan Police Department posted on social media, stating, “We are responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are on site. Details to come.”

Independent journalist Alejandro Alvarez shared footage from a Kennedy Center webcam that appears to show the midair collision. Reagan National Airport has imposed a ground stop, with airport operations expected to resume at 11 a.m. Thursday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the crash and stated that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation. The president later issued a statement: “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident at Reagan National Airport. May God bless the victims. I commend the first responders for their efforts and will continue monitoring developments.”

Trump also took to Truth Social, writing, “The airplane was on a perfect and routine approach. The helicopter was heading straight at it for an extended time. It was a CLEAR NIGHT, the plane’s lights were visible—why didn’t the helicopter move? Why didn’t air traffic control issue clearer instructions? This was preventable. NOT GOOD!”

Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who was sworn in just hours before the accident, has reportedly arrived at the emergency command post.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom addressed the tragedy in a video message, stating that the airline is fully cooperating with authorities and providing support to affected families. “Anything we can do, we are doing,” Isom said, adding that a company team is en route to Washington.

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas expressed his grief on social media, calling the event “nothing short of a nightmare.” He urged prayers for the victims and their families and vowed to seek answers about how the crash occurred.

Investigations are ongoing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.