Takeoffs, Landings Halted At Reagan Washington National Airport After Jet Falls In Potomac River

The mid-air collision between a commercial airliner and a military helicopter at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday evening has led to the temporary halt of all takeoffs and landings, as emergency services respond to the incident. The collision occurred around 9 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, crashed into a military Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway.

The FAA has confirmed that the mid-air collision involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, which was operating as American Airlines Flight 5342. The Blackhawk helicopter was an Army helicopter, according to the Associated Press. The incident has prompted a large search and rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River, with helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flying over the scene in search of survivors. Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac River from a point near the airport along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport.

President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, and Vice President JD Vance encouraged followers on the social media platform X to "say a prayer for everyone involved." The FAA and the NTSB will investigate the cause of the collision, with the NTSB leading the investigation. All takeoffs and landings from the airport near Washington have been halted as helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region fly over the scene in search of survivors.

The incident has raised concerns about air traffic safety and the potential for similar incidents to occur in the future. As the investigation into the cause of the collision continues, it is essential to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the incident. This may involve reviewing air traffic control procedures, aircraft maintenance, and pilot training to ensure the highest level of safety for passengers and crew.

In the meantime, passengers traveling through Reagan National Airport should expect delays and potential cancellations as the airport works to resume normal operations. The airport has encouraged passengers to check the status of their flights before traveling to the airport. As more information becomes available, the airport will provide updates on its website and social media channels.

The mid-air collision at Reagan Washington National Airport is a reminder of the importance of air traffic safety and the need for ongoing vigilance and improvement in air traffic management. As the investigation into the cause of the collision continues, it is essential to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the incident to ensure the safety of passengers and crew in the future.