A tragic midair collision between a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night left at least 18 people confirmed dead after both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. while the PSA Airlines plane, operated by American Airlines, was approaching Reagan National Airport.
The passenger jet, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was struck by a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter during its descent. The helicopter, part of a training flight with B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was on a routine mission at the time of the crash.
A livestream camera positioned at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., captured the moment of impact at 8:47 p.m. The footage, later verified by CBS News, shows a large explosion over the Potomac River, followed by a fiery crash.
First responders have been working under difficult conditions to recover bodies from the river. The water temperature is freezing, and despite the river’s relatively shallow depth of about 8 feet, visibility remains poor due to the muddy, icy conditions. Authorities confirmed that multiple debris fields were located in the river, further complicating the recovery efforts.
While the total number of fatalities is still being confirmed, at least 18 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. The wreckage includes pieces from both aircraft, with investigators working to piece together the cause of the collision.
President Trump issued a statement after being briefed on the disaster. “May God bless their souls,” he said. “Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders.”
As the investigation continues, authorities have expressed deep concern for any potential survivors. Divers and emergency personnel remain on the scene as they conduct further searches in the frigid waters of the Potomac.
