American Airlines flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. The crash occurred as the regional jet was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for landing. The helicopter, operated by the U.S. Army, collided with the Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet around 9 pm local time.
Following the collision, the jet, which was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, crashed into the Potomac River. Emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene, and the incident led to the grounding of all flights at the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the midair collision between the aircraft, a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk and the PSA Airlines jet.As authorities investigate the crash, American Airlines released a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing concern for the involved passengers and crew. The airline confirmed that the flight had been en route from Wichita to Washington D.C. at the time of the crash, but did not immediately provide further details on the number of injuries or fatalities.This tragic accident has prompted a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision and has raised questions about safety protocols for military and civilian aircraft operating in close proximity, particularly near major airports like Ronald Reagan National. Emergency services continue to work at the crash site, with search and rescue efforts ongoing. The FAA and other relevant authorities are working together to gather more information and determine the cause of the midair collision.