A tragic accident happened in the Washington, D.C. area when a passenger plane crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with a U.S. Army helicopter. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, was flying as American Airlines flight 5342 and had 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
So far, at least 19 bodies have been pulled from the river, according to a law enforcement source. Among those on the plane were several members of the U.S. figure skating community, including athletes, coaches, and family members returning from a camp in Kansas. Two Russian ice skating coaches, Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were also on the flight.
The crash occurred around 9:00 PM local time as the plane was getting close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the passenger jet hit a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, which was on a training flight from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The helicopter flipped over in the water, while the plane broke apart and sank several feet below the surface.
Search and rescue teams have been working all night in freezing temperatures. About 300 responders are searching the river, facing challenges from wind and ice that make their work difficult.
Witnesses described the crash as frightening. Ari Schulman, who saw the accident while driving, said the plane suddenly turned sharply and sent out “streams of sparks.” Another witness, Jimmy Mazeo, saw what looked like a “white flare” in the sky and noticed the planes were flying strangely before emergency services arrived.
U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have shared their sadness about the incident. Trump said he is closely watching the situation and thanked the first responders for their hard work. Vice-President JD Vance asked for prayers for those involved, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy promised a full investigation.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed his deep sorrow about the crash, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall from Kansas, where the flight started, described the situation as heartbreaking.
As the investigation continues, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will look into what caused this tragic accident and whether changes are needed for air traffic safety near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
