The collision happened midair around 9 p.m. between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight.
WASHINGTON — Crews are working to find any survivors after an American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night. The flight then crashed into the Potomac River.
According to the FAA, Flight 5342 from Witchita Kansas collided midair while approaching the runway at Reagan Washington National Airport.
D.C. was under a wind advisory most of Wednesday but that advisory has since been lifted. At 10 p.m. WUSA9 meteorologist Topper Shutt reported wind gusts were around 26 miles per hour near the airport. The crash was reported around 9 p.m. when gusts may have been stronger.
The Potomac River is running around 42 degrees. While search crews may don suits to help with the cold temperatures, passengers from Flight 5342 may only have 30-40 minutes.
According to the flight manifest, American Eagle Flight 5342 had 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
“We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders. Praying for the victims and first responders.”
