In a shocking and tragic incident, an American Airlines passenger jet collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., on Tuesday evening. The collision, captured by an EarthCam view from The Kennedy Center, has left authorities scrambling to investigate the cause and assess the damage.

The Collision: What Happened?

Around 9 p.m., American Airlines Flight 5342, a regional jet operated by PSA Airlines, was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) when it “collided in midair” with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The American Airlines flight, a Bombardier CRJ700, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas, at 5:18 p.m. local time and was scheduled to land at DCA at 9:03 p.m.

The Black Hawk helicopter, piloted by the U.S. Army, was on a “routine training flight,” according to Heather Chairez, media chief for the Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region. The exact circumstances leading to the collision remain unclear, but both aircraft were operating in the same airspace at the time.

Emergency Response: Rescue Efforts Underway

Following the collision, reports confirmed that an aircraft had gone “down in the Potomac River.” The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department quickly deployed fireboats to the scene. Emergency crews are working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover wreckage from both aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest that visibility and air traffic control communications will be key areas of focus.

Passengers and Loved Ones: How to Get Help

American Airlines has set up a dedicated hotline for family members and friends who believe their loved ones may have been on board Flight 5342. Those in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 toll-free. For international callers, additional contact information is available at news.aa.com.

The american airlines released a statement expressing its deep concern for those affected: “Our hearts go out to the passengers, crew, and their families during this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with authorities to ensure a thorough investigation.”

In a tragic and rare midair collision near Washington, D.C., an American Airlines flight, operated as American Eagle Flight 5342, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on Tuesday evening. The American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when the incident occurred around 9 p.m. The military helicopter, on a routine training mission, also went down in the river, prompting a swift emergency response from local authorities.

American Airlines has set up a hotline for concerned families and is cooperating with federal agencies, including the FAA and NTSB, as investigations into the cause of the collision begin. This devastating event has raised questions about airspace safety and coordination between civilian and military aircraft in one of the nation’s busiest regions.

What’s Next?

As rescue and recovery efforts continue, questions about air safety and traffic management in the busy D.C. airspace are sure to arise. The collision between a commercial jet and a military helicopter is a rare and alarming event, highlighting the complexities of coordinating civilian and military aircraft in densely populated areas.

For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families. Updates from the FAA and NTSB are expected in the coming days as investigators piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident.

Stay tuned for more information as this story develops. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking event.