The search intensifies for the dozens of passengers aboard the aircraft that crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River on Wednesday night (early Thursday morning Greek time) after colliding with an Army Aviation helicopter carrying a three-member crew during its final descent to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
According to Reuters, citing News4, NBC’s Washington affiliate, more than 30 bodies have been recovered from the river. However, Senator Roger Marshall, who represents Kansas—the aircraft’s departure point—suggested that no one survived, stating in a press conference that it is “very difficult” to “lose” 60 citizens “at once.” The Washington Post reported that rescuers emerging from the river earlier had found no signs of life.
American Airlines, whose CEO Robert Isom expressed “deep sorrow” for the tragedy in a video released by the company’s press office, confirmed that the aircraft, operated by its regional subsidiary PSA, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it crashed near Ronald Reagan Airport, on the border between Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving police, firefighters, and both aerial and maritime units.
At least 30 bodies have been recovered so far after a commercial airliner collided with a U.S. Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, causing the passenger plane to crash into the Potomac River, CBS News reports, citing a police source in the U.S. capital.
The aircraft was carrying 64 people—60 passengers and 4 crew members—while the helicopter had a three-member crew, according to American Airlines and sources close to the U.S. military.
According to initial reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a CRJ700 aircraft, manufactured by the Canadian company Bombardier and operated by PSA Airlines, “collided mid-air” while approaching Ronald Reagan Airport with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter near the capital.
CRJ700 aircraft can carry up to 78 passengers, while Black Hawk helicopters can accommodate up to 15 people beyond the crew.
The plane had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was scheduled to land in Washington at 9:00 PM (local time, 4:00 AM Greek time).
Describing it as an “aviation incident,” the airport announced on X that all departures and landings were “suspended.” A “search and rescue operation” is underway, the Washington D.C. police reported on X.
The military helicopter carried three personnel, according to a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Their fate remains unclear, but no senior officers were on board. Another official stated that the Army helicopter was based in a Virginia military camp. CNN, citing a local military spokesperson, reported that the Black Hawk was on a “training flight” when it collided with the commercial aircraft.
Videos uploaded to social media show helicopters flying over the Potomac River, illuminating areas with searchlights.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks, were visible along the riverbanks near the airport, with most of them concentrated on the eastern bank, opposite the airport. Work vehicles, such as tow trucks and inflatable boats, were also arriving to assist in the operation.
“A plane traveling to the capital from Wichita, Kansas, carrying about 60 passengers, collided with a military helicopter. My prayer is that God embraces each victim and continues to be with their families,” Kansas Senator Roger Marshall wrote on X.
Local police stated on social media that a “multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said that Maryland State Police have deployed divers to the crash site.
U.S. President Donald Trump “has been briefed on the situation: it appears, tragically, that a military helicopter collided with a regional airline plane,” White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt told Fox News.
President Trump later confirmed the incident, calling it a “horrific accident” and stating that he is “monitoring” developments.
A small plane reportedly crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night, shutting down nearby Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
The Washington Fire and EMS Department (DCFD) said an American Airlines aircraft crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that, preliminarily, investigators believe an American Airlines regional jet approaching the DCA runways collided with a helicopter.
The plane had departed from Kansas.
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