A catastrophic collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. has left both aircraft submerged and many feared dead.
Quick Takes
- Midair collision occurred between American Airlines CRJ700 jet with 64 onboard and Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter
- Crash happened near Reagan Washington National Airport, with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River
- Air traffic control audio captured final moments, including instructions for helicopter to pass behind jet
- Several U.S. Figure Skaters were reportedly on the commercial flight
- This marks the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009
Tragic Collision Over Nation’s Capital
The skies over Washington, D.C. became the scene of a horrific disaster as an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair. The catastrophe unfolded near the Potomac River, adjacent to Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in both aircraft plummeting into the water below.
The collision involved a CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew, and a helicopter with the call sign PAT25. The U.S. Army later confirmed that the helicopter was a UH-60 from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, conducting a training flight from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion.
DISPATCH AUDIO FROM REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT: An American Airlines small eagle plane collided with a military helicopter, crashing into the Potomac River near D.C.'s Reagan National Airport Wednesday.
More details: https://t.co/4UREknpVPM pic.twitter.com/d55WFgEwsp— NBC Montana (@NBCMontana) January 30, 2025
Final Moments Captured in Chilling Audio
Air traffic control recordings from LiveATC.net have provided a haunting glimpse into the final moments before the crash. In the audio, controllers can be heard desperately trying to manage the intersecting flight paths of the two aircraft, “PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ,” an air traffic controller instructed the helicopter moments before the collision.
The tension in the tower escalated rapidly as the disaster unfolded. Another aircraft in the vicinity alerted the tower, asking, “Tower, did you see that?” The chilling response from the tower confirmed the worst: “Yup we saw it.” Moments later, a controller declared, “Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three,” signaling the gravity of the situation.
Ongoing Search and Investigation
In the wake of the disaster, first responders immediately launched search and rescue operations in the Potomac River. However, with both aircraft submerged, many passengers and crew members are feared dead. The crash site, approximately half a mile off the approach to Runway 33, has become the focus of intense scrutiny.
The U.S. Army and the Department of Defense have initiated investigations into the crash. Weather conditions at the time were reported to be clear, with 10 miles visibility and winds from the northwest at 16 mph, gusting to 26 mph, ruling out immediate weather-related causes.
This tragic incident marks the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009, ending a long period of relative safety in American commercial aviation.
Sources:
Air Traffic Controller Captures Crash Audio
Air traffic control audio details deadly Washington plane crash: ‘I just saw a fireball’
