A civilian airliner carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night. There are no survivors.
Among the passengers were several athletes, coaches and family members returning from the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. The list of victims includes Russian world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
The H-60 BlackHawk helicopter collided with Flight 5342 that was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening.
The US Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk was carrying a crew of three and no VIPs, according to defense department officials.
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30 January 2025
The US has “already been in contact with Russia” about the repatriation of the remains of Russian nationals killed in the Washington plane crash, President Donald Trump said at the White House press briefing. He confirmed that the US will facilitate the transfer of the bodies notwithstanding the sanctions blocking direct flights to Russia.
US President Donald Trump has described the deadly collision as “a tragedy of terrible proportions” and confirmed that there were no survivors, while addressing reporters in the White House briefing room.
He praised the emergency response efforts, stating, “A massive search and rescue mission was underway throughout the night, leveraging every asset at our disposal, and I have to say, the local, state, federal military, including the United States Coast Guard in particular, they’ve done a phenomenal job.” Trump called the incident “a dark and excruciating night in our nation’s capital and in our nation’s history,” emphasizing that “as one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly.”
While details surrounding the crash remain unclear, Trump hinted at potential causes. “We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas, and I think we’ll probably state those opinions now, because over the years, I’ve watched as things like this happen,” he said.
First lady Melania Trump posted on X that her “heart goes out” to those affected by the mid-air collision. “I pray for those who so sadly lost their lives, their families & loved ones, & the first responders who have worked tirelessly through the night. May they find strength and solace in this difficult time,” she added.
Four members of the steamfitters union were among the victims of the fatal collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet, the professional organization announced Thursday.
“We are heartbroken to confirm that four members of UA Steamfitters Local 602 were among the victims of the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash yesterday,” the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada shared on X.
Wednesday’s plane crash brought back memories of a similar tragic event involving US figure skaters nearly 64 years ago.
On February 15, 1961, the entire national team perished in a plane crash in Belgium while en route to that year’s World Championships in Prague, in what was then Czechoslovakia. Among the 72 passengers killed were 18 skaters, along with 16 coaches, officials, judges, and family members. The disaster remains one of the most devastating moments in American sports history.
“Those were all my friends and coaches,” 1960 Olympic bronze medalist Ron Ludington recalled in a 2010 interview with the Wilmington News Journal. “I grew up with them, and I traveled all over the world with them.” Ludington had originally been scheduled to be on the flight as a coach but was forced to cancel at the last minute.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed on Thursday that the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the midair collision was on an annual proficiency training flight. While the Pentagon is withholding the names and ranks of the crew members until their families are notified, Hegseth stated, “It was a fairly experienced crew that was doing an annual required night evaluation,” adding that “they did have night vision goggles.”
The 12th Aviation Battalion, the unit operating the Black Hawk, is now on an operational pause as officials review the circumstances surrounding the incident. “An investigation will seek to determine whether the helicopter was in the proper corridor and at the right altitude at the time of the incident,” Hegseth noted. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz told Fox earlier on Thursday that the crew consisted of one officer, a warrant officer, and a crew chief.
“On behalf of the IOC [International Olympic Committee ], and personally, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected, which we understand may include Olympians, young athletes, and their support staff,” IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls,” Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
As many as 14 figure skaters are feared dead, Skating Club of Boston CEO Doug Zeghibe has told reporters in Norwood, Massachusetts. He confirmed that six of the victims were affiliated with the Skating Club of Boston, including two coaches, two skaters, and two mothers.
Zeghibe identified the skaters as 16-year-olds Spencer Lane and Jinna Han. Their mothers, Christine Lane and Jin Han, were also on the plane. The two coaches on board were Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.
“The two coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, top coaches. They were the 1994 world pair champions and they came to us in 2017 and were very much a part of our building the competitive skating program,” he told NBC.
Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Figure Skating Champions in pairs, were among those tragically lost in the midair collision over the Potomac River. Originally representing Russia, the duo transitioned to professional skating in 1998 and subsequently moved to the United States, where they established themselves as esteemed coaches. Their son, Maxim Naumov, born in August 2001, has followed in their footsteps and is a competitive figure skater. He recently secured fourth place at the US Men’s Figure Skating Championships.
“We mourn with all those who have been impacted. This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington, DC and Wichita, Kansas, forever,” Wichita Mayor Lily Wu has told reporters. She noted that there is no final confirmation yet on all the individuals who were on the flight and assured that no names would be released until families had been notified.
Wu announced that a community-wide prayer vigil would be held at noon at Wichita City Hall. “Our community needs to come together to support the family members who have been impacted, to come together in honor of those individuals on that flight,” she said.
A skating pair who won medals at the US Figure Skating Championships narrowly avoided being on the flight. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who are skating partners, flew home from the championships in Kansas on Monday before continuing their travels to another competition in Canada. Jamal Othman, director of The Ice Academy, told The Independent that the pair are safe. There were media reports suggesting they may have been on board the ill-fated flight.
After securing multiple medals at the competition in Wichita, including two silver medals as a pair, Carreira and Ponomarenko competed in the Canadian city of London on Wednesday, Othman confirmed.
According to an NBC source from the National Transportation Safety Board, no black boxes have been recovered from the aircraft crash site yet.
Both flights were following their “standard flight pattern” when the crash occurred, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
“This was a clear night last night; the helicopter was in the standard pattern. If you live in the DC area, you will see helicopters up and down the river,” he told a news conference. Duffy said it was not unusual for a military aircraft to be flying along the river while commercial planes were landing at DCA.
“I would just say that everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely. That when you depart an airport, you get to your destination. That didn’t happen last night and I know that President Trump, his administration, the FAA, the DOT, we will not rest until we have answers for the families and for the flying public,” he added.
Images of search and rescue efforts around the plane crash site in the Potomac River are emerging online
The pilots on board Flight 5342 were experienced professionals and not newcomers to complex commercial flights, airline CEO Robert Isom told reporters on Thursday.
“These are experienced pilots,” he stated. “I know that the captain had … almost six years with PSA [Airlines], and the first officer almost two years.”
PSA Airlines, which operated Flight 5342, is a regional carrier solely owned by American Airlines.
Emergency crews have recovered 28 bodies from the Potomac River following the deadly collision, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly has told reporters.
“We don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident and we have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter,” the emergency chief said.
Donnelly has confirmed that emergency crews are switching from a rescue mission to a recovery operation, adding that efforts are ongoing to return the victims’ remains to their families.
Wednesday’s mid-air collision was the deadliest air travel accident in Washington since a passenger jet crashed into a bridge 43 years ago.
On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 struck the 14th Street Bridge before crashing into the frozen Potomac River just moments after takeoff from Washington National Airport. All 74 on board and four people on the bridge died.
The National Transportation Safety Board blamed multiple failures, including the crew’s failure to de-ice properly and the captain’s decision to proceed despite unsafe conditions.
Emergency crews have recovered over 30 bodies from the Potomac River after an American Airlines jet with 64 persons aboard and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers collided mid-air near Reagan National Airport, NBC4 reports.
Both aircraft crashed into the frigid river, where ongoing search efforts are complicated by near-freezing water temperatures, according to the US Geological Survey.
A recovery center has been established at the DC Fire Helipad on South Capitol Street SW to receive human remains from the Potomac River crash.
Boats are transporting remains to the site before ambulances transfer them to tents that are being used as a temporary morgue.
The DC Medical Examiner said it was the city’s largest recovery operation in decades.
Video footage recorded by the webcam at the Kennedy Center shows the moment of the crash.
The crash appears to be a “terrible accident” caused by human error, former helicopter pilot Paul Beaver told Sky News.
“Air traffic control can only advise” while the pilot is responsible, he said, explaining that the plane was committed to its final approach and had the right of way. The helicopter should have taken “avoiding action.”
Beaver, who is familiar with the Potomac airspace, called it “difficult.”
The passenger jet’s pilots may not have seen the helicopter, according to CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave. He said the American Eagle plane was only “a few hundred feet off the ground” when it collided with the US Army helicopter.
“It was very close to touching down,” Van Cleave said. “It was in the final steps of its final approach… It is possible, depending upon where the two aircraft struck, that the pilots of the airplane never even saw the helicopter coming.”
The US Army and Defense Department have opened an investigation into the crash. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was sworn in just days ago, has said a probe has already begun. “Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls and their families,” he posted on X.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russian figure skaters were on board the passenger plane that collided with a US Army helicopter.
“Unfortunately, we see that this tragic information is being confirmed,” Peskov said, adding that there were also other Russian nationals among passengers.
“Sad news from Washington today. We regretfully extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of our fellow citizens who were lost in this plane crash.”
Human remains and debris have been found washing up on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, opposite the Reagan National airport, according to CBS News reporter Kris Van Cleave.
The plane broke into multiple pieces, which are now settling in five to eight feet of water, he said. A dive team has reportedly located one of the aircraft’s two data recorders, though it’s unclear whether it carries cockpit voice or flight data recordings.
Divers have also accessed parts of the aircraft’s cabin and recovered luggage, among other items, the reporter said. The helicopter remains upside down but appears largely intact, he added.
The number of bodies recovered from the river near the crash site is “approaching 20,” NBC News has reported citing sources. Earlier, CBS News reported that at least 19 bodies had been pulled from the Potomac River, citing a police official who confirmed that no survivors had been found.
CNN reporter Gabe Cohen, working at the scene, described emergency crews’ mood as somber, noting that rescue efforts were shifting toward recovery.
“I spoke with a law enforcement source just a few minutes ago,” Cohen said. “He told me that there’s a really somber mood, even at the rescue scene. It feels – certainly not officially – but that we’re sort of moving from that ‘search-and-rescue operation’ into a recovery effort. They have pulled several bodies out. There are fatalities confirmed at the scene. And now we’re just waiting for answers.”
Search-and-rescue crews have recovered bodies from the crash, NBC has reported, citing two sources. Officials have not yet confirmed the number of casualties.
It is unlikely anyone has survived, Tim Atkinson, a former senior inspector for the UK Airline Accident Investigation Branch, has told Sky News. According to him, the crash likely exceeded human tolerance levels.
“The moment of collision, in which clearly a lot of energy is expended from the visuals there... and, unfortunately, the first element required for survivable is that the actual ultimate forces experienced by those on board an aircraft or in a vehicle, have to be within human tolerance,” Atkinson said.
“And my suspicion is very strongly that, in the impact with the water, the forces there were simply beyond human tolerance,” he added.
Renowned Russian figure skating world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, a married couple, who won the pair event in 1994, were on the plane, TASS news agency has reported, citing an unnamed source.
Several US figure skaters and coaches were reportedly on board the plane that crashed while traveling from Wichita to Washington, DC, according to the Kansas City Star, which cited US pair skater Luke Wang.
They were returning from the US Figure Skating Championships, which took place in Wichita on January 20-26, with some athletes remaining in the city until January 28.
Several Russian figure skaters and former Russian coaches were also believed to be on board, according to sports agent Ari Zakaryan, who spoke to Russian broadcaster Match TV.
Zakaryan confirmed that Russian nationals were among the passengers but refrained from naming individuals, stating, “We are still finding out, I can’t say much. But we know our people were there. You’ll see everything soon.”
US officials have not confirmed any deaths while speaking to reporters at Reagan National Airport, according to AFP.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has declined to say whether any bodies have been recovered, or comment on the submerged aircraft’s condition.
When asked about survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said: “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran called the crash “a very personal circumstance” for Kansans, saying many will know those on board and their families.
He has pledged support for the rescue effort and vowed to keep Congress engaged in the investigation.
The investigation into the crash is expected to take longer, with search-and-rescue efforts continuing under “dangerous” conditions in the water, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. has told reporters.
“The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in,” he said, adding that the recovery operation could take several days.
“If you can imagine, the river is a large black spot at night with no lights on it, except for a few buoy lights,” Donnelly stated, describing the scene at night.
About 300 responders have begun conducting a search-and-rescue operation in the Potomac River, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. has told a press conference at Reagan National Airport.
The first units arrived at 8:58pm local time after an alert was issued at 8:48pm, finding an aircraft in the water and beginning rescue efforts, according to Donnelly. “The conditions out there are extremely rough,” Donnelly said, adding that it is cold and windy.
New details have emerged about the final moments before the crash. Minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the plane if it could use a shorter runway at Reagan National, and the pilots agreed, according to the AP. Flight tracking shows the jet adjusting its approach.
Less than 30 seconds before impact, a controller asked the US military helicopter if it saw the plane. Moments later, the controller instructed: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds later, they collided.
US President Donald Trump has reacted to the tragic midair collision over the Potomac River on his social media platform Truth Social, questioning how the accident occurred on a “CLEAR NIGHT.”
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time,” he wrote.
Trump has criticized air traffic control, asking, “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane?” Calling it a preventable disaster, he concluded, “NOT GOOD!!!”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has expressed “sorrow” for the victims of the crash as he prepared to travel to Washington, DC. “This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines,” he said, emphasizing support for passengers, crew, and families.
He confirmed that American is working with authorities and has a “go team” en route. “Our cooperation is without pause,” Isom stated, adding that efforts remain focused on assisting those affected by the tragedy.
18 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River following the midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter with three military personnel on board, CBS News has reported.
Other media outlets, including The Washington Post, have reported that multiple bodies have been recovered from the water. No survivors have been found so far, according to the newspaper.
A new video angle of the recent mid-air collision over Washington, DC, has shown the US Army Black Hawk helicopter, almost entirely unlit, ramming into a passenger plane, which explodes into a fireball.
The helicopter that crashed near Reagan Airport tonight was on a training flight, according to a US military official who spoke to NBC News.
”We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, conducting a training mission,” the official stated, adding that the military is coordinating with local authorities and will release further details as they become available.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced the deployment of all available US Coast Guard resources for search and rescue operations following the incident, emphasizing active monitoring of the situation and readiness to support local responders.
Reports indicate that a Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers at the time of the incident, according to multiple media outlets, including The New York Times, Reuters, and CNN.
Citing US defense officials, the reports confirm that no senior Army officials were on board.
American Airlines has confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board at the time of the collision.
”Our primary concern is for the passengers and crew,” the airline said in a statement, emphasizing that they are in close contact with authorities and actively providing support as needed. American Airlines has assured the public that it will continue to share updates as more details become available.
The president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union has stated that firefighter dive teams are making every effort to locate survivors.
The US Army has confirmed that the helicopter involved in the collision was a Black Hawk.
”We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia,” the Army stated. “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged the “terrible accident that just occurred at Reagan National Airport.”
“May God bless their souls,” he said in a message shared on X by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told FOX News that the administration’s thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.
”We ask the public in this area to please stand by for guidance from law enforcement and allow them to do their jobs as they attempt to save lives,” Leavitt said.
She also confirmed that US President Donald Trump has been informed about the crash.
Pete Hegseth, the newly confirmed Defense Secretary, stated on X that the Pentagon is “closely monitoring” the situation.
Vice President JD Vance urged people to pray for those aboard the plane that crashed in Virginia this evening.
”Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now, let’s hope for the best,” Vance wrote on X.
American Airlines has stated on X that it was aware of the incident and would share updates as more information became available.