BREAKING: American Airlines regional jet involved in midair collision with helicopter near DCA, FAA says

30.01.2025 - 07:17 / thepointsguy.com / Robert Isom / Sean Duffy

An American Airlines regional jet was involved in a midair collision late Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.

In a statement to TPG, the FAA said a regional jet inbound from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military helicopter while preparing to land at DCA. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ700, was operated by PSA Airlines, a regional subsidiary of American.

The incident took place at 8:45 p.m. EST, D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed.

There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the American Eagle flight, the carrier told TPG.

The FAA halted all takeoffs and landings late Wednesday amid a large-scale investigation, and search for survivors in the nearby Potomac River.

"They are working diligently in very dark, cold conditions — cold water — to execute this rescue operation," Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a news conference around 1 a.m. EST Thursday.

The military helicopter involved in Wednesday evening's crash was in the midst of a training flight, the U.S. Army said.

Local and regional fire and emergency responders were on scene conducting search and rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard joined the search, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. The helicopter had three people on board at the time, Bowser confirmed.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a video message late Wednesday, and confirmed plans to travel to D.C.

"I'd like to express our deep sorrow about these events. This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones," Isom said.

The airline urged those who believe they may have loved ones on board the flight to call American Airlines toll-free number at (800) 679-8215.

As of 1 a.m. EST Thursday, the number of casualties remained unclear. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, the FAA said. NTSB investigators were on scene early Thursday, the agency confirmed.

The airline dispatched a "go team" to Washington, Isom said in his video message.

"We are actively working with local, state and federal authorities on emergency response efforts," Isom said.

American planned to set up a communications center inside a DCA Admirals Club, officials confirmed.

Newly-confirmed U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was at FAA headquarters late Wednesday, he said, and directed the agency to support the NTSB and other agencies amid the investigation.

"We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to those individuals who were impacted by the events tonight — their families, we know this is a very difficult time for