A passenger plane with 64 people on board crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, DC, after a mid-air collision with a US Army helicopter. Rescue teams have recovered 18 bodies from the icy waters, according to CBS. Meanwhile, authorities continue searching for survivors in freezing conditions. As a result, officials grounded all flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

What Happened?

The crash occurred around 9:00 PM local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday. A PSA Airlines jet, operating as American Airlines 5342, collided with a US Army helicopter while approaching the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the details. The Bombardier CRJ700 passenger plane had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, according to American Airlines. The Pentagon identified the Army aircraft as a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. It had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia with three US soldiers on board. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed this detail. As a response, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation.

Were There Casualties?

Officials have not confirmed the total number of casualties yet. However, they emphasized that their focus remains on rescue efforts. Meanwhile, CBS reported that emergency teams have pulled 18 bodies from the water. US media shared early images of the crash. Reports showed the plane split in half in the river and the helicopter flipped upside down. To speed up the search, around 300 responders are using rubber boats to locate survivors. Washington DC Fire and Emergency Services Chief John Donnelly described the difficult conditions. "The challenge is access. There is wind, ice on the water. It is dangerous and hard to work in," he said.

What Did Eyewitnesses See?

Ari Schulman witnessed the crash while driving on the George Washington Parkway. He told NBC Washington that at first, the plane's approach seemed normal. Then, he saw it sharply bank to the right. Suddenly, sparks ran from its belly, lighting up the aircraft. "It looked very, very wrong," Schulman said. Since he had seen many landings in the area, he knew the plane’s underside should not have been visible in the dark. He compared the sparks to a "giant Roman candle" running from nose to tail. Similarly, Jimmy Mazeo saw the crash while dining at a park near the airport. He described a "white flare" in the sky and noticed planes flying in unusual patterns. At first, he didn’t think much of it. However, once emergency services flooded the scene, he realized something was wrong.

What Are US Officials Saying?

President Donald Trump said he received a full briefing on the "terrible accident." Furthermore, he assured the public he was monitoring the situation closely. "May God bless their souls," he said. Additionally, he praised first responders for their efforts. On his TruthSocial account, Trump questioned how the crash happened. "This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!" he wrote. Vice President JD Vance asked for prayers for those involved. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also issued statements, confirming they were tracking developments. When asked if authorities would change flight paths near Ronald Reagan Airport, Secretary Duffy responded, "We will take appropriate action if necessary." Moreover, he added, "There will be a review of what happened here tonight." Finally, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom shared his "deep sorrow" over the collision. He posted a video message on the airline’s website expressing condolences.