No survivors expected in Potomac River plane crash near Washington DC

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A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport has left more than 60 people feared dead, with no survivors expected.

Authorities have confirmed the recovery of 28 bodies so far, including 27 from the plane and one from the helicopter.

The crash occurred at approximately 8:48 p.m. Thursday night as the American Airlines regional flight, operating as American Eagle Flight 5342, was approaching the airport from Wichita, Kansas.

The flight, a CRJ-700 operated by PSA Airlines, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, including ice skaters and their coaches.

Bodies lie on the ground next to emergency vehicles, near the site of the crash after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River, outside Washington, U.S., January 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Among the passengers were Russian-born former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were returning from a skating event in Wichita.

The US Army Black Hawk helicopter, on a training flight, was carrying three soldiers. Both aircraft were reportedly following normal flight patterns at the time of the collision, which took place under clear conditions, according to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

District of Columbia Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed that first responders faced “extremely frigid conditions” while attempting recovery operations in the Potomac River, where the wreckage was found.

Ice, heavy wind, and low temperatures posed significant challenges throughout the night. He also thanked the many agencies involved in the efforts and stated that, at this time, authorities do not believe there are any survivors.

“We will work to find all the bodies and reunite them with their loved ones,” Chief Donnelly said in a press conference on Friday.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, and American Airlines is fully cooperating.

A dive team recovered one of the two data recorders from the plane, and authorities continue to search for additional clues regarding the cause of the tragic accident.

Witnesses reported seeing an explosion and a fireball as the two aircraft collided. A controller at the airport was heard on the radio calling for other planes to divert, moments after the crash.

The incident is shaping up to be one of the deadliest US aviation disasters in over a decade.

Photo: Reuters

Among the victims were ice skaters from US Figure Skating, who are now mourning the loss of their fellow athletes, family members, and coaches.

The Kremlin has also expressed condolences to the families of the Russian nationals who perished in the crash.

The tragedy recalls a similar disaster in 1982 when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac, killing 74 people.

The most recent deadly commercial airline crash in the US occurred in 2009, when a Colgan Air flight went down in New York, killing all 50 aboard.