January 30, 2025 – In a chilling incident on Wednesday evening US time, a passenger flight collided in mid-air with a Black Hawk helicopter on the approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington DC. After the collision, the aircraft crashed into the Potomac river near the airport. Rescue boats were scanning the river.

As per reports, there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. The Black Hawk Sikorsky H-60 was carrying three US Army soldiers.

The American Airlines Flight 5342 was on its way from Kansas to Washington DC. On its approach to the DC airport, the aircraft lost altitude rapidly, according to data from its radio transponder, and collided with the chopper at a height of 400 feet.

The video of the crash shows two bright lights of the aircraft before it turned into a fireball. The airport has suspended all operations, temporarily halting all takeoffs and landings.

US President Donald Trump has said he was “monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they emerge” and that he was grateful to the first responders for their “incredible work”.