A catastrophic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. has left the nation in shock.
Key Takeaways
- An American Airlines CRJ700 jet carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
- The crash occurred near Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in both aircraft crashing into the river.
- Air traffic control audio captured the final moments before the collision, including instructions for the helicopter to pass behind the jet.
- Several U.S. Figure Skaters were among the passengers on the ill-fated American Airlines flight.
- This marks the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009, prompting investigations by the Army and Department of Defense.
The Collision and Immediate Aftermath
On a clear night with good visibility, tragedy struck the skies over Washington, D.C. A CRJ700 Bombardier jet operated by American Airlines, carrying 64 passengers and crew, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter with the call sign PAT25. The catastrophic event unfolded near Reagan Washington National Airport, sending both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River.
The collision, which resulted in a fireball, was captured by a webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, providing chilling visual evidence of the disaster. First responders rushed to the scene, initiating a desperate search for survivors in the river waters, though many were feared dead.
DISPATCH AUDIO FROM REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT: An American Airlines small eagle plane collided with a military helicopter, crashing into the Potomac River near D.C.'s Reagan National Airport Wednesday.
More details: https://t.co/4UREknpVPM pic.twitter.com/d55WFgEwsp— NBC Montana (@NBCMontana) January 30, 2025
Air Traffic Control’s Final Moments
Audio transmissions from LiveATC.net have revealed the tense final moments before the crash. An air traffic controller can be heard instructing the helicopter, “PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.” These may have been the last words exchanged before the fatal collision.
In the immediate aftermath, the gravity of the situation became clear. A controller declared, “Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three,” signaling the occurrence of an accident. Operations at Reagan National Airport were promptly suspended indefinitely, with another controller announcing, “I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach into 33. We’re going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future.”
Victims and Investigation
The American Airlines flight carried a particularly poignant group of passengers with several members of the U.S. Figure Skating being on board, adding to the national impact of this tragedy. While no senior military officials were reported to be on the helicopter, the loss of life in both aircraft has sent shockwaves through the nation.
The U.S. Army confirmed that the helicopter was a UH-60 from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, part of Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion. It was conducting a training flight at the time of the incident. This tragic event marks the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009, ending a long period of commercial aviation safety in the country.
Ongoing Response and Future Implications
In response to the disaster, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was closed to flights until at least 11 a.m. the following day. The Army and the Department of Defense have initiated investigations into the crash, which occurred about half a mile off the approach to Runway 33.
As the nation grapples with this tragedy, questions about air traffic control procedures, flight path management, and the coexistence of civilian and military aircraft in busy airspaces are likely to come under intense scrutiny. The findings of these investigations will be crucial in preventing future occurrences and enhancing aviation safety in one of the world’s busiest and most complex airspaces.
Sources:
Air Traffic Controller Captures Crash Audio
Air traffic control audio details deadly Washington plane crash: ‘I just saw a fireball’
