Air Traffic Controller Asked Black Hawk Helicopter If It Had American Airlines Jet 'in Sight' Seconds Before Crash: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Less than 30 seconds before an American Airlines regional passenger plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, an air traffic controller reportedly tried to alert the helicopter pilot.

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter collided on Wednesday night just outside the airport, as the plane was landing.

The controller made another radio call to the helicopter seconds later, saying to “pass behind the CRJ [the plane].” No response from the Army Black Hawk helicopter was recorded from any flight tracking sites, per the AP, and moments later, the two aircraft crashed into each other.

Meanwhile, the plane’s radio transponder stopped transmitting over the middle of the Potomac River and around 2,400 feet short of the runway.

The plane was approaching Runway 33 around 9 p.m. local time.

Andrew Harnik/Getty

There were60 passengers and four crew memberson board the jet, according to a statement from American Airlines. According toCNN, the Army helicopter had three soldiers onboard.

“We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available,” a U.S. Army official told the outlet in a statement.

At least18 bodies were pulled from the water, a police official toldCBS News. However,the Metropolitan Police Departmenthas yet to publicly confirm any casualties.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are set to investigate, with the NTSB leading.

Reagan National Airport said that all “all takeoffs and landings have been haltedat DCA.”

Additionally, American Airlines issued a hotline for passengers' loved ones to report to. “If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215,” read the statement. “Those calling from outside the U.S. can visitnews.aa.comfor additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.

Vice PresidentJ.D. Vanceasked for prayers on X. “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best,” he wrote.

source: people.com