The helicopter involved in the crash near Washington, D.C. was a U.S. Army Black Hawk, specifically identified as a Sikorsky UH-60 model from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir. This helicopter was on a routine training flight at the time of the incident. There were three soldiers on board during the collision with the American Airlines regional jet, American Eagle Flight 5342, while it was approaching Reagan National Airport. The crash occurred on the evening of January 29, 2025, leading to both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. No survivors are expected from this tragic event.
Video of incident (slow motion)
LISTEN to ATC audio of American 5342 as Reagan tower clears them to land, advises PAT25 helicopter to watch for traffic, and then alarm hits tower as they watch the collision unfold and both aircraft fall into the river. pic.twitter.com/KZC91vXg2r
— Tyler Anderson, MD (@DoctorTyMD) January 30, 2025
Dashcam video
đ¨#BREAKING: New dashcam footage captures the moment a military helicopter collides with an American Airlines jet, triggering a mass casualty event with reports of multiple fatalitiesâ°â°đ#Washington | #DC
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 30, 2025
â°Watch dramatic new dashcam footage captured by a couple driving near⌠pic.twitter.com/BGknHeAy9a
Incident Overview
On the evening of January 29, 2025, a tragic accident unfolded over the skies of Washington, D.C. when a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet, American Eagle Flight 5342, which was on approach to Reagan National Airport. The Black Hawk, from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, was engaged in a routine training mission at the time of the incident.
The collision occurred around 7:00 PM local time, leading to both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River. The Black Hawk had three soldiers aboard, with no survivors expected from the crash. Similarly, the American Eagle flight, operated by PSA Airlines, was carrying 47 passengers and three crew members, and the immediate aftermath has left the community in shock as emergency services rushed to the scene.
The initial response to the incident was swift, with multiple agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, local fire and rescue teams, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority coordinating the rescue operations. Air traffic control at Reagan National Airport was quick to alert all flights in the vicinity, temporarily halting arrivals and departures to manage the crisis effectively.
First responders battled against time and the river’s currents to locate and aid any potential survivors, though the severity of the crash has dampened hopes. Statements from both military and FAA officials have expressed deep sorrow for the loss and emphasized their commitment to a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest possible issues with communication or visibility.
This event has not only highlighted the inherent risks of aviation but also the complex interplay between military and civilian airspaces in one of the most heavily monitored airspaces in the world.
Radar Transponder Flight Path
— Mike (@PantherMike182) January 30, 2025
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