Washington plane crash: 18 bodies pulled out from Potomac River

The military helicopter was carrying three soldiers when it collided with the regional passenger jet, which had 60 passengers and four crew members on board while approaching the airport for landing

Washington: A mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Washington’s Reagan National Airport has claimed at least 18 lives, as rescue teams continue to search for survivors, according to local media reports.

The crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk military helicopter. The military helicopter was carrying three soldiers when it collided with the regional passenger jet, which had 60 passengers and four crew members on board while approaching the airport for landing. No survivors have been found so far, CNN reported.

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The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the collision occurred around 9 pm local time on Wednesday.

As a result, all takeoffs and landings at the airport were temporarily halted while emergency teams worked at the crash site. The Pentagon and the Army are investigating the crash, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He wrote that the investigation was “launched immediately.” “Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families,” Hegseth added.

President Donald Trump issued a statement expressing his concern over the tragic accident. “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,” the statement read.

The FAA confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, was on approach to Runway 33 when it collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the accident.

Emergency response teams, including the Metropolitan Police Department and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, were deployed swiftly to conduct search and rescue operations. Boats are actively scanning the Potomac River, searching for potential survivors.