Videos Show Horror Mid-Air Collision in Washington DC, Dozens Fears Dead After Plane Crashes into Helicopter

Videos have emerged showing the shocking moment an American Airlines passenger jet with 64 people on board crashed mid-air into a military helicopter in Washington D.C.

Dozens are feared dead following the tragedy at Reagan National Airport in the nation’s capital.

Emergency services in the city are searching the nearby Potomac River after the jet plummeted into the water just before 9 pm on Wednesday night.

Officials have not said how many people died in the accident but have suggested that there may be no survivors. It is the first major commercial air crash in the US in 16 years.

Dive teams have been scouring three debris fields and have recovered one of the jet’s data recorders, also known as the black boxes, CBS News reports.

Multiple videos show the moment the two aircraft collided, triggering a huge mid-air explosion.

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Emergency workers are facing tough conditions as they search the icy river for possible survivors.

The bodies of 19 people are reported to have been recovered so far.

However, the number is expected to rise significantly.

Among the dead are several members of the U.S. figure skating community, including athletes, coaches, and their family members, the sport’s governing body has said.

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They had been returning home from the National Development Camp, an advanced training camp for promising young athletes.

The camp is held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The statement added:

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

According to reports, as many as 15 people on the flight may have been involved in figure skating.

Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reported, citing a source, that Russian figure skaters Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on board the plane.

The married couple won the world championship in pairs figure skating in 1994.

If their deaths are confirmed, the couple would be the first named victims in the tragedy.

However, the incident is feared to have claimed dozens of lives.

In a statement on X, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said:

“Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy.”

She announced that a briefing will take place at 7.30 am ET as rescuers continue to search the Potomac River.

The airline has confirmed that Flight 5342, which was flying from Wichita, Kansas, to the capital, had 60 passengers and four crew members when the collision occurred.

The plane has split in two and is in around seven feet of water, while the helicopter is upside down and unstable.

Images captured at the scene show emergency officials on boats around what appears to be part of the fuselage and a wing jutting out of the river.

The passenger jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Runway 33, the Federal Aviation Authority said.

Defense officials have confirmed that the Black Hawk was an Army chopper carrying three soldiers on a training flight.

The plane was being operated as an American Eagle Flight by PSA Airlines for its parent carrier American Airlines.

At a press conference last night, officials could not give any further information on casualties and could not confirm whether any bodies had been recovered.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy did say that the FAA would study the crash and look at possibly changing flight paths around Reagan National.

Officials said there were 300 first responders out working in “complex and extremely rough” conditions, citing ice still in the cold water.

Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said:

“If you can imagine, the river is a large black spot at night with no lights on it, except for a few buoy lights.”

In a post on X, the airport said:

“All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA.

“Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield.

“The terminal remains open. Will update.”

In a post on X, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) said:

“Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare.

“A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter.

“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.

“There are no words that can make telling this story any easier.

“I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident.

“I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”

The White House has also confirmed the nature of the crash.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed live on air that President Donald Trump had been made aware.

In a statement, Trump said:

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport.

“May God Bless their souls.

“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.”

American Airlines said in a statement:

“We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident.

“We will provide information as it becomes available.”

In a post to X, Vice President JD Vance said:

“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.”

An FAA statement said:

“A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time.

“PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines.

“It departed from Wichita, Kansas.

“The FAA and NTSB will investigate.

“The NTSB will lead the investigation.”

READ MORE – Final Four Minutes of Black Box Recordings ‘Missing’ from Plane Crash That Killed 179

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