DCA - American Airlines passenger plane collides with Blackhawk over the Potomac River, all 67 on both dead, 29 Jan 2025

[TexLil]

Phone number for loved ones announced:

NEW: American Airlines Flight 5342 was involved in Wednesday night's crash near Reagan Washington National Airport, the airline confirmed.

Those who may have loved ones on the flight can call 800-679-8215, the airline told ABC News.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884817480083722357

 

[steeltowngirl]

God, I can't stop thinking about all of the families and friends of the passengers that are waiting to pick them up right now. Having no idea what happened. And the people who have to tell them the horrible news...

Sad. And people in Kansas who sent loved ones off at the airport, assuming they’d arrive in DC safely and let them know when they landed Waiting. Not hearing. Calling them, knowing they should have already landed. Then checking flight status.

Oddly, AA.com flight status just says ‘In flight’.

 

[Chimera]

It's still not known and may not be for a while, but I was hoping the news about some survivors was accurate ?

American Airlines jet crashes in Washington DC after midair collision

The American Airlines passenger jet crashed into a military helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport in Washington on Wednesday night.

www.dailymail.co.uk

At this time it looks like a terrible accident !
From the video clip at the link, it looks like the chopper heads straight at the plane without attempting to rise higher, or lose altitude and go under to avoid the plane, but possible mechanical failure and the heli. was unable to change course.
They(helicopter pilot) must have seen the plane with both lights on and seemingly in working order.
Was it mechanical malfunction or a medical emergency ?
It looked imo like the plane was on the right course for landing and had (if that's what it's called) the 'right of way' in that space ?
But the heli. wouldn't be there without proper clearance, so...

Also from above link :
An FAA statement said: 'A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time.

'PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.'
So saddened for the anxious families waiting for news right now.
Awful.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

About an hour plus ago, was listening to my scanner app and the talk was they had pulled “8 bodies from the water”. A little bit later someone stated the “official count is 12 and one treated and released”. My husband and I could not imagine a plane crash victim being treated and released, even if they somehow had only minor injuries. We speculated it was a first responder injured somehow.
What the official count of 12 is….don’t know for sure.

 

[MassGuy]

Really sad.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884818460707860862

 

[Chimera]

Reporter on site just said the plane crashed in 7 feet of water close to shore, and split in half.

Live updates: American Airlines jet crashes into Potomac River after collision with Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport

The latest news and live updates on the plane crash into the Potomac River.

www.nbcnews.com

Thanks for this info. ^^^

We don't know yet what the altitude of the plane and chopper were at the moment of impact though ?
I'm wondering how far of a drop and if people can survive it if belted into their seats.
I want there to be survivors.
Omo.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Airport is closed until at least 5 am.

 

[CHEL]

Really sad.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884818460707860862

I wish the media would leave him alone. SO sad.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Thanks for this info. ^^^

We don't know yet what the altitude of the plane and chopper were at the moment of impact though ?
I'm wondering how far of a drop and if people can survive it if belted into their seats.
I want there to be survivors.
Omo.

News report said the plane was at 400 feet when it was hit.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Steve Herman:
VOA

Helicopter upside down in the river and the fuselage of the jet is split in two in the water,

 

[Herat]

The plane's final approach for landing looks completely routine and they were about 350ft over the Potomac lined up for Runway 33, probably less than 75 seconds from wheel touchdown when the other craft hit the right side at the same elevation. Weather conditions stable and visibilty clear, moderate NW winds consistent with the approach pattern.

Reports are there were 3 military members on the Sikorsky helicopter.

Bodies are being found in the Potomac.

My huge condolences. This is awful.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Reuters:
Helicopter was taking part in a training flight.

 

[Simply Southern]

NBC 4 interviewed a man who was driving, it banked a sharp right, he could see the entire under belly of the plane right before the crash.

I've flown into National many times, always lots of traffic. It's beautiful looking down at the White House and you can clearly see the "wagon wheel" street designed. Lots of passenger are always looking out the window.

Heart breaks for the families.
Moo

 

[Izzylizzy]

8m ago / 11:23 PM EST

• 
  
• 
  

Copied
Share

FBI aiding response to crash​

Michael Kosnar
The FBI is assisting local agencies, it said tonight.

“The FBI Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad is responding to an aviation incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in support of our law enforcement and public safety partners," the Washington field office said in a statement.

Live updates: American Eagle jet crashes into Potomac River after collision with Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport

The latest news and live updates on the plane crash into the Potomac River.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[bmacmillan1]

The number of passengers of approx 60 on board the passenger plane seem little.
Would this be a usual number for a domestic flight on such a large aircraft?

 

[Izzylizzy]

20m ago / 11:12 PM EST

Tammy Duckworth describes 'pretty good visibility' inside Black Hawk​

David K. Li
The Black Hawk helicopter isn't equipped with an alert system like a commercial airliner would be — but it does have superior visibility that could have helped a crew see an oncoming threat, said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.

Windows above, below and to both sides of the crew give Black Hawk pilots near-panoramic visibility that's far superior to that of a big jet, Duckworth said on MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell."

"So you can actually have pretty good visibility. So it is quite surprising that you can have this happening," said Duckworth, an Army veteran and former Black Hawk pilot.

She said it's far too early to draw any conclusions.

“This airspace is very, very, very busy, and we’re praying ... that there are more survivors,” she said.'

Live updates: American Eagle jet crashes into Potomac River after collision with Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport

The latest news and live updates on the plane crash into the Potomac River.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[DS2021]

The number of passengers of approx 60 on board the passenger plane seem little.
Would this be a usual number for a domestic flight on such a large aircraft?

Bombardier CRJ700 series - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[StarryStarryNight]

My younger son’s best friend growing up and still best friend, who lived just around the corner from us, I always refer to him as my 3rd son…lives just a five minute Metro ride from Reagan.
Nobody was reporting any damage or injuries on the ground but I was still worried.
Just got a text from my son and he was finally able to get in touch with him and he is fine. He did not see or hear the crash but is hearing all the sirens. Sorry, my husband has gone to bed and I just need to exhale with somebody. Thanks, WS friends.
Prayers for all the families involved.

 

[MassGuy]

CNN: NO survivors have been pulled from the water.

Plane in pieces in the water, helicopter nearby.

Confirmed fatalities.

 

[DS2021]

Cnn says no survivors pulled