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

[Seattle1]

Jan 29, 2025

Video shows plane and helicopter collide near DCA | NBC4 Washington​

 

[Arkay]

Just heard about this around an hour ago and the first reports I heard were three survivors, then that changed to apparently no survivors.

I’m watching the news conference now.

A terrible, terrible tragedy.

This has been a rough January, for sure.

As I type, a Jack Potter from the Metro Washington Airport Authority is saying it’s still a “rescue” situation.

Prayers for the families and gratitude to the first responders. These are horrific conditions under which to search and certainly beyond a horrific way to die.

 

[sasha17]

From the press conference and Senator Moran, KS, it sounds like there are no survivors. Is that what anyone else interpreted? Very, very tragic. I can't imagine.

JMO.

I agree. And considering the photos and videos out there, I can't say I'm surprised. Tragic.

 

[Seattle1]

1/29/25

‘There was a collision’: Air traffic control recording captures moment of crash | NBC4 Washington​

 

[Chimera]

From the press conference and Senator Moran, KS, it sounds like there are no survivors. Is that what anyone else interpreted? Very, very tragic. I can't imagine.

JMO.

I was listening to the presser and the mayor (?) was still labeling it a 'rescue operation' , but yes, sadly I think you're correct.
Omo.

 

[Seattle1]

Jan 29, 2025

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

 

[Deleted member 39678]

From this link:
VFR vs IFR Flight Rules: Key Distinctions Explained

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are two sets of rules that govern how pilots navigate in the sky. VFR is used in good weather conditions, while IFR is used in poor visibility conditions.

I'm assuming on a clear night the conditions were VFR ?
The the first video was grainy but clear enough to see the path of the heli., and that was after dark.
Imo.

It appears that it was clear VFR conditions from the video I just watched with night time conditions limiting the pilots ability to see other aircraft.

Was ATC in control of both aircraft at the time of the accident?

 

[JaxFlaGal]

From the press conference and Senator Moran, KS, it sounds like there are no survivors. Is that what anyone else interpreted? Very, very tragic. I can't imagine.

JMO.

Agreed, that was what I gathered as well. Given the very cold waters of the Potomac right now and the nature of the in-air collision, it certainly didn't sound promising. Technically still seemed to be listed as rescue vs recovery, but in the presser I noted that the fire/rescue chief was at this point using both. Reagan National Airport will be closed until 11 AM Thursday per the presser.

 

[Simply Southern]

DC5 has photos at the crash site of the plane. They are located on the Virginia site of the River, direct line of the crash site. Arlington has the large watercraft in the water.

LIVE: DC plane crash near Reagan National Airport

A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after a small American Airlines aircraft collided with an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport, authorities confirmed.

www.fox5dc.com

 

[JaxFlaGal]

It appears that it was clear VFR conditions from the video I just watched with night time conditions limiting the pilots ability to see other aircraft.

Was ATC in control of both aircraft at the time of the accident?

I heard *unconfirmed* audio that ATC had instructed the helicopter to path *behind* the commercial airline, which had been reported as being on its final descent. That is consistent with this graphic from Wapo.com in their updates (gift link: https://wapo.st/3CuWgCT):

 

[sds71]

@byajperez


Multiple young figure skaters who attended U.S. Figure Skating's National Development Camp in Wichita were on American Airlines flight 5342. Those who skate or play at local rinks are calling and texting one another. This is all so damn sad.

 

[vls12345]

ABC ran the presser live. After the presser, ABC said they have confirmed multiple fatalities. The coverage is ongoing here: DC plane crash live updates: Army helicopter was on training mission; fatalities reported

 

[vls12345]

https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2025/Information-regarding-American-Eagle-Flight-5342/default.aspx

 

[JaxFlaGal]

from the WaPo gift link above, https://wapo.st/3CuWgCT
"
Water temperatures in the Potomac near the crash site are dangerously cold, around 35 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit, and the river contains floating ice from a recent cold spell.
Water this cold “quickly removes heat from the body which could lead to cold water shock within the first minute, loss of muscle control within 10 minutes or hypothermia within 20 to 30 minutes,” according to the National Weather Service."

 

[vls12345]

What to know about the deadly American Airlines and Black Hawk helicopter collision

A regional jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening, U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News.

abcnews.go.com

There are confirmed fatalities from the collision, law enforcement sources familiar with the ongoing operation told ABC News. Several bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River, and so far, no survivors have been rescued, sources said.

 

[vls12345]

https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article299414889.html

 

[Seattle1]

1/29/25 - LIVE started streaming 7 hours ago...

 

[JDG]

I was listening to the presser and the mayor (?) was still labeling it a 'rescue operation' , but yes, sadly I think you're correct.
Omo.

CNN is reporting that the recovery will take several days due to poor conditions in the river. IIRC

 

[Simply Southern]

I was listening to the presser and the mayor (?) was still labeling it a 'rescue operation' , but yes, sadly I think you're correct.
Omo.

She sure didn't want anyone talking about the crash. I'm glad the Kansas Senators spoke of the loss of Kansas citizens. They spoke of a recovery operation.
Moo

 

[Arkay]

Agreed, that was what I gathered as well. Given the very cold waters of the Potomac right now and the nature of the in-air collision, it certainly didn't sound promising. Technically still seemed to be listed as rescue vs recovery, but in the presser I noted that the fire/rescue chief was at this point using both. Reagan National Airport will be closed until 11 AM Thursday per the presser.

I well recall the “Miracle on the Hudson” which occurred here on the Hudson River on a FREEZING January 15th.

Of course that was a bird strike and not a collision with another aircraft, but the three main reasons why everyone survived:

1) Sully’s skill at controlling that landing
2) it was in the daytime so there was visibility
3) the Hudson River has a constant stream of ferries and other boats that go back and forth between NYC and New Jersey, so they were able to grab the passengers and crew before the plane began to sink into the river.

As great as Sullenberger is, if the passengers and crew had to wait longer for help, the freezing water may have been unsurvivable as well.

IMO

This is a heartbreaking day.