An American Airlines flight traveling from Wichita, Kan. collided with a military helicopter at DC’s Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Some 300 first responders worked overnight in dark, cold and windy conditions to find survivors.
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The American Airlines flight collided with the military chopper around 9 p.m. Earth cam
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American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter, exploding in a fiery impact as it approached Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.
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Emergency response units assessed airplane wreckage in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Getty Images
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Hundreds of responders from across the region arrived to the scene. Getty Images
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Three were on board the military helicopter that crashed. Getty Images
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All flights at Reagan National Airport have been halted. Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock
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Rescue teams at the scene of the horrific plane collision. SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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Numerous dive teams worked overnight in an attempt to find survivors. REUTERS
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Conditions on the water were “extremely rough,” cold and windy. Getty Images
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Dive teams used night vision in “dark” and “cold” water during rescue efforts. SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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Reagan National Airport will be closed until 11 a.m. Thursday morning. AP
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People gathered near the scene to watch search and rescue operations in the Potomac River. AP
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Flights at Reagan National Airport were halted after the disaster. Anadolu via Getty Images
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Reagan National Airport displayed signs announcing the halt to travelers.
REUTERS
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Officials held a news conference at Reagan National Airport early Thursday morning. Reuters
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks to media at the airport. AFP via Getty Images
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Kansas Senator Jerry Moran expressed his condolences during the early morning press conference. Reuters
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World Champion husband-wife duo Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were reportedly onboard the plane, according to Russian state-owned media. Getty Images
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A new angle shows the moment the US Army helicopter collided with the American Airlines plane in Washington, DC, Wednesday night.
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Officials say conditions on the water are “extremely rough,” cold and windy. Getty Images
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Rescue teams search the Potomac River after a commercial airplane reportedly collided with a military helicopter on approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC. JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
