A passenger aircraft from Wichita collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
American Airlines flight 5342 was approaching Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport (DCA) when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, according to the FAA. All flights out of DCA and landings at DCA have been halted and the debris of the plane and helicopter are currently in the Potomac river.
The DC-bound plane, a CRJ-700 Bombardier, is designed for regional flight and can seat between 68 to 73 passengers.
DC Fire and EMS are currently leading search and rescue operations in and around the Potomac, along with several partner organizations, according to the DC Metropolitan Police Department. At least eight victims were been pulled from the Potomac river by 9:15 p.m., according to emergency responders. One person has been treated and released.
According to WMAA, several people associated with DCA staff were also victims of the crash.
Emergency responders seemed to be focusing on two areas of the Potomac River. A large contingency of first responders were at the banks of the river off the runway of Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va. A second group of first responders were further down the river near the Capital Cove Marina off Bolling Air Force base, where there is a Coast Guard station.
First responders were driving into both the airport and north toward Washington, some carrying trailers with boats.
Helicopters often fly along the Potomac River and while the airport traffic carefully monitors both traffic from both helicopters and airplanes. The U.S. Coast Guard also has a helicopter hangar at the airport.
Kansas lawmakers said they were trying to gather information. Sen. Jerry Moran posted on social media that he was in contact with authorities after learning “that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA.”
“Please join me and Susan in praying for those on board and for all of the first responders at the scene,” Rep. Ron Estes, whose district includes Wichita, posted on social media.
American Airlines took to social media to confirm the crash.
“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,” the airline wrote on X. “We will provide information as it becomes available.”
The Associated Press confirmed 28 recovered bodies Jan. 30, with no suspected survivors.
This brief will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
Contact the Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com.
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