A massive search and rescue effort was underway after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines jet at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday evening.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport (DCA) around 9 p.m. local time.
PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, and it departed from Wichita, Kansas. There was no immediate word on casualties or the cause of the collision.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that President Donald Trump is aware of the situation, calling it tragic. Trump later released a statement, writing: “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
PLANE VEERS OFF AIRPORT RUNWAY IN SOUTH KOREA AND CRASHES, KILLING 179: REPORTS
According to American Airlines, there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the CRJ-700 aircraft.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,” the airline said in a statement. “We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”
There were three soldiers on the helicopter at the time of the crash, according to an Army official.
“We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir during a training flight,” the Army confirmed to Fox News Digital. “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter, which can carry 15 people, including two pilots, two crew chiefs and two rescue specialists.
Jack Potter, the president and CEO of Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said during a press conference that flights will resume from the airport at 11 a.m.
At the time of the crash, Reagan National Airport reported clear skies, visibility of 10 miles and winds sustained out of the northwest at 16 mph, gusting to 26 mph. The temperature at the time was 50 degrees.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he was on the scene and closely monitoring the situation. He was just sworn in earlier in the day on Wednesday.
He later posted that he had directed the U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA to provide full support to the National Transportation and Safety Board, as well as all responding agencies and authorities.
“I have spoken with Washington D.C. Mayor Bowser, Virginia Governor Youngkin, Kansas Governor Kelly, and NTSB Chair Homendy to offer our agency’s complete assistance. Thank you to all first responders who are on the scene and conducting the search and rescue operations,” Duffy wrote on X.
The FBI said it’s Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad was responding to “an aviation incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport” in support of law enforcement and public safety partners.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said every available U.S. Coast Guard resource is being deployed to assist with search and rescue efforts. She also said her department is actively monitoring the situation and stands ready to support local responders.
The DC Fire and EMS Department confirmed that fireboats were on the scene.
Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr., said there are currently about 300 responders working at the scene.
AIRLINER’S FINAL 4 MINUTES OF RECORDINGS ARE MISSING AFTER CRASH THAT KILLED 179: INVESTIGATORS
A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National and the pilots said they were able. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjusting its approach to the new runway.
In audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, a controller is heard asking the helicopter, “PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,” in reference to the passenger aircraft.
Fox News has learned that the helicopter did respond, but on a different frequency, a frequency for helicopters.
“Tower did you see that?” another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision.
One video posted to X and captured from the webcam at the Kennedy Center caught what appeared to be the midair explosion near the Potomac River.
Trump posted further reaction to the crash on Truth Social.
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport,” he wrote. “The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
Vice President JD Vance took to X to call on people to stay positive as the tragedy unfolded.
“Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening,” Vance wrote. “We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a video statement early Thursday morning saying the airline’s “go team” was heading to the area, and he would also be on his way to the scene shortly. He also said the airline set up a special helpline for friends and family to call. That number is 1-800-679-8215.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelley said she was aware of the incident.
“I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport,” she said. “I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available.”
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., also posted on X about the crash.
“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” he wrote. “I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident. I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”
The collision marked the first time there has been a crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009.
Colgan Air Flight 3407, a flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo, New York, stalled and crashed during landing approach near Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Feb. 12, 2009. The plane slammed into a house.
All 45 passengers and four crew members were killed.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for more information. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.