By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
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At least 19 bodies have reportedly been recovered after a passenger plane crashed into an Army helicopter above the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., last night.
The aircraft, which was a Canadair Regional Jet 700 (CRJ-700) operated by American Airlines subsidiary PSA Airlines, had 64 people on board.
Tim Atkinson, a former senior inspector at the U.K. Airline Accident Investigation Branch, told Sky News he does not expect anyone to have survived the impact. The Guardian reported that at least 19 people are known to have died.
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Why It Matters
Thousands of commuter planes fly above the Potomac every day, raising serious safety concerns over why this happened, and how to ensure such a collision never happens again. This incident comes about a month after another airline crash in South Korea killed 179 people, creating concern over aviation regulations internationally.
What to Know
The passenger plane was flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C., when it collided with a US Army Blackhawk helicopter with three people on board at 8.47 p.m. local time. The people onboard the helicopter are also unaccounted for.
Grainy CCTV footage from the area shows the plane flying along and then suddenly bursting into flames.
Former helicopter pilot Paul Beaver spoke with Sky News about the accident, saying that because the airline pilot was coming in to land, they would have had right of way. The helicopter pilot should have taken "avoiding action" to move out of the airplane's flight path.
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Air traffic control recordings from right before the crash show the air traffic controller speaking with the helicopter (PAT 2-5) operators.
The air traffic controller said: "PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?"
Then: "PAT 2-5 pass behind the CRJ."
The helicopter pilot responded: "PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation," just moments before the crash.
A pilot on X who goes by the handle @visionik said that because there was both the landing CRJ-700 plane and another departing plane in the same airspace, he thinks the helicopter pilot got confused between the two planes, and while they had eyes on the departing flight, they did not see the one coming in to land.
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine expressed his fears about a collision at this airport in May 2024. Already home to the busiest runway in the nation, Reagan airport was authorized last year to add five more spots to its schedule. The senator said: "You're also increasing a safety risk because when you have one plane taking off or landing every minute, while other planes are circling, especially in very constricted air space, like DCS airspace, you run the risk of serious challenge."
Although air travel remains statistically the safest form of transportation, one in five Americans have a fear of flying that is exacerbated by collisions, pandemics and terrorism, according to The Hill.
One of President Donald Trump's policy proposals is to cut the Transport Security Administration (TSA) budget to put more money into the Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) budget. He is also considering reallocating Coast Guard and/or Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) funds to ICE as well.
What People Are Saying
Trump said: "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. 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!!!"
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said: "Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy."
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins: "Earlier this evening, we were devastated to learn of a tragic aviation incident near DCA. Our prayers are with everyone affected. Our fire, police, and emergency personnel are assisting in the regional response. We will provide more information as it becomes available."
What Happens Next
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he "immediately" opened up an investigation into the crash with the Army and the defense department.
The search for survivors continues.
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