Off The Record

Everything We Know About The Terrible American Airlines Crush That Collided With Helicopter Mid-Air

Published on January 30, 2025

After a passenger airliner and military chopper crashed in midair just outside of Washington, DC, both aircraft fell into the Potomac River, prompting emergency personnel to continue their rescue efforts.

As the American Airlines passenger plane descended to land on Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday, January 29, the terrible occurrence occurred about 9:00 p.m. local time.

While rescue personnel continue to look for survivors and investigate the event above the Potomac River, all airport takeoffs and landings have been temporarily halted.

Here is what we now know about the tragic collision.

What caused the American Airlines crash?

The black boxes from the plane and helicopter are essential to determining what transpired before to the deadly accident; thus, this is still up in the air.

As of right now, we only know that the military helicopter and passenger airliner collided when the plane was making its way to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

How many people were on board the American Airlines flight?

American Airlines flight 5342 included 60 passengers and four crew members, according to verifiable reports.

The sport’s American governing organization, US Figure Skating, has revealed that several participants and coaches were on board the tragic aircraft.

In a statement, it said: “These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.”

“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.”

As of this article’s publication, CBS reports that at least 19 bodies have been found in the Potomac River.

At this point in the investigation and recovery effort, no survivors have also been found.

In the meantime, the helicopter was carrying three people.

What has American Airlines said about the crash?

Robert Isom, the CEO of American Airlines, responded to the incident in Washington, DC, by stating that he would going there with a team of experts to help with the inquiry.

In a statement, the businessman said, “This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.”

“I know that there are many questions. At this early stage, I’ll not be able to answer all of them, but I do want to share the information I have at this time.”

What has Donald Trump said about the American Airlines crash?

The incident, according to President Trump, was a “bad situation” that “should have been prevented.”

“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport,” he wrote on his social media site Truth Social.

“The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing. why didn’t the helicopter go up or down or turn?

“Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!! What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!”

Dispatcher audio of aftermath of American Airlines crash released

Since then, the incident’s air traffic control audio has been made public, describing the terrifying moment dispatchers saw the accident.

“The accident happened in the river. Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river,” a man on the audio says.

“It was probably out in the middle of the river. Um, I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river.”

“But it was a CR-J [the type of plane] and a helicopter that hit; I would say a half-mile of the approach.”

What’s the latest on the rescue operation?

John Donnelly, the chief of DC Fire and EMS, stated at a press conference that his team “don’t know” if they will discover anyone alive.

He continued by explaining that the rescue effort was becoming more difficult due to the weather.

“There is wind. There are pieces of ice in the water… And because there is not a lot of light, you are out there searching every square inch of space,” he said.

“These are very tough conditions for [rescuers] to dive in.”