A devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C., has launched a massive search and rescue operation, as authorities race against time in the frigid waters of the Potomac River. The tragedy, now considered the deadliest commercial aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2009, has sent shockwaves across the nation.
Rescue teams are working relentlessly, but officials warn that extreme cold and treacherous conditions could significantly slow efforts. Families anxiously await news, holding onto hope as first responders comb through the wreckage.
A Catastrophic Collision in the Night Sky
The crash occurred just before 9:00 p.m. on January 29, when American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The passenger plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter, with three soldiers aboard, was conducting a routine training exercise when disaster struck.
Moments before impact, air traffic controllers instructed the helicopter to maneuver around the approaching jet. The pilot confirmed visual contact and requested separation. Seconds later, tragedy unfolded.
Disturbing CCTV footage captured from a nearby building shows the horrific moment the two aircraft collided, igniting a fireball in the sky before both plunged into the freezing river below.
Eyewitness Accounts and Chilling Video Evidence
Among those who witnessed the catastrophe firsthand was Ari Schulman, who saw the plane moments before impact while driving home.
“I could see the underside of it. It was lit up a very bright yellow, and there was a stream of sparks underneath it,” Schulman recalled. “Then everything just went dark.”
A nearby EarthCam video recorded the moment of impact, showing the aircraft’s final, fiery descent. Another D.C. resident, Abadi Ismail, described the terrifying sound of the collision.
“I heard two unusual bangs—something I’ve never heard before. It sounded like a war zone,” he said.
Rushing to his window, Ismail initially saw only a faint trace of smoke. But within minutes, the entire area was illuminated by searchlights from helicopters and emergency boats.
A Desperate Search for Survivors in Freezing Waters
Emergency teams are now battling near-freezing temperatures, strong winds, and floating ice as they search for any possible survivors. With the Potomac River reaching temperatures of 35°F, hypothermia is a major threat.
According to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, “It’s a highly complex operation. The conditions out there are extremely rough, and access to the crash site is extremely difficult.”
The water’s depth, ranging from eight feet in some areas to over 100 feet in others, makes recovery efforts even more challenging. Specialized FBI dive teams have been deployed, using advanced underwater technology to search through the debris.
Despite these efforts, the outlook remains grim. As of Thursday, officials have recovered 28 bodies—27 from the plane and one from the helicopter. No survivors have been found.
Families Gripped by Agonizing Uncertainty
Inside Reagan National Airport, loved ones who had been eagerly awaiting arrivals are now enduring the unthinkable. Many were directed to a designated support center, where grief counselors are assisting them.
Among them was Hamaad Raza, who had been texting his wife moments before the crash.
“I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now,” he said. His last message from her read, “We’re landing in 20.” Moments later, his texts stopped delivering.
The tragedy has left entire communities devastated, with some victims belonging to the U.S. figure skating world. Several skaters, coaches, and family members had been returning from a development camp in Wichita, including two Russian-born coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both former world champions.
“This is a nightmare,” said Kansas Senator Jerry Moran. “Our hearts are with the families affected by this unimaginable loss.”
National Response and Investigation
As authorities work to determine the cause of the disaster, Reagan National Airport remains closed until further notice. All flights have been suspended or diverted, causing significant disruptions.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation via social media, expressing condolences while raising concerns about the circumstances of the collision.
“It was a CLEAR NIGHT. The lights on the plane were blazing. Why didn’t the helicopter move up or down or turn?” he questioned. “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an official investigation, aiming to reconstruct the final moments before impact. The FAA is also conducting an internal review, scrutinizing air traffic communications and flight patterns leading up to the collision.
A Community in Mourning
The crash marks the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing 49 people. The impact of this latest tragedy has left families shattered and a nation grieving.
In response, community leaders in Wichita, Kansas, where the flight originated, have organized a citywide prayer vigil to honor the victims. Scheduled for January 30 at noon, the vigil will take place at the Wichita City Council Chambers, offering a space for collective mourning and support.
As the search for answers continues, one thing is clear: this heartbreaking tragedy will be felt for years to come. The stories of those lost will not be forgotten, and their loved ones will carry their memories forward, forever etched in the hearts of a grieving nation.