On January 29, 2025, a mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., led to the tragic death of all 67 people on the two aircraft: American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. This event is now one of the deadliest accidents in recent U.S. history.
The first aircraft involved, American Eagle Flight 5342, was a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines. The flight was on its way from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. Tragically, the plane never finished its route and completed its journey. The second aircraft, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, was on a nighttime training mission and carried three soldiers. Preliminary reports show that the two aircraft collided as the passenger plane was near its approach to Reagan National Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively investigating the cause of the crash. Despite their efforts, the NTSB has not yet found a direct clue to what caused this incident. NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy stated, “There’s no indication the U.S. Army Black Hawk crew could tell there was an impending collision before its devastating crash with an American Airlines plane in Washington, D.C.” The NTSB is examining multiple aspects, including the possibility that the helicopter crew may have had insufficient information on the altitude from their altimeter, as the pilots had differing altitudes in the seconds before they crashed.
Following the collision, extensive search and operations were carried out, and the emergency teams who were working tirelessly were able to determine all 67 victims, said NBC news. The investigators are now analyzing and reconstructing the final moment before the impact to get a better view and understanding of what happened.
In the aftermath of this tragic event, the aviation community rallied together, expressing deep sorrow and honoring the victims. PSA Airlines paid tribute to the crew members of Flight 5342 with the PSA Honorary President’s Award. The DC and Olympic figure skaters also joined in, performing a show called “Legacy on Ice” to honor the victims, many of whom were figure skating athletes. President Trump also addressed the incident, stating, “We are mourning, this has shaken a lot of people. We’re all searching for answers. We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas. We’ll find out how this disaster occurred and we’ll ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.” The entire nation has been deeply affected by the loss of the victims, and memorials and vigils have been held across the country to honor those who perished. The NTSB is currently continuing its investigation to prevent future tragedies from happening again.
