A devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C., has launched a massive search and rescue operation, as authorities race against time in the frigid waters of the Potomac River. The tragedy, now considered the deadliest commercial aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2009, has sent shockwaves across the nation.
Rescue teams are working relentlessly, but officials warn that extreme cold and treacherous conditions could significantly slow efforts. Families anxiously await news, holding onto hope as first responders comb through the wreckage
A Catastrophic Collision in the Night Sky
The crash occurred just before 9:00 p.m. on January 29, when American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The passenger plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter, with three soldiers aboard, was conducting a routine training exercise when disaster struck
Moments before impact, air traffic controllers instructed the helicopter to maneuver around the approaching jet. The pilot confirmed visual contact and requested separation. Seconds later, tragedy unfolded
Disturbing CCTV footage captured from a nearby building shows the horrific moment the two aircraft collided, igniting a fireball in the sky before both plunged into the freezing river below.
Among those who witnessed the catastrophe firsthand was Ari Schulman, who saw the plane moments before impact while driving home.
“I could see the underside of it. It was lit up a very bright yellow, and there was a stream of sparks underneath it,” Schulman recalled. “Then everything just went dark.”
A nearby EarthCam video recorded the moment of impact, showing the aircraft’s final, fiery descent. Another D.C. resident, Abadi Ismail, described the terrifying sound of the collision.
