On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at approximately 9 p.m. EST, a regional jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, D.C. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the regional jet had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was on approach to the airport when the incident occurred.
The collision resulted in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River, prompting an extensive search-and-rescue operation. Emergency response teams from across the D.C. region, including units from Fairfax and Montgomery counties, swiftly converged on the scene. Fireboats were deployed to the crash site in the Potomac River to search for victims and survivors.
Rescue operations were hampered by cold temperatures and ice, with water temperatures recorded at 35°F (2°C). Despite these challenges, four survivors were recovered from the water and transported to local hospitals for treatment. The identities and conditions of these individuals have not been disclosed at this time.
All takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted as emergency personnel responded. Helicopters from various agencies, including the U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, conducted aerial searches over the river. Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac from a point near the airport along the George Washington Parkway.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, and Vice President JD Vance encouraged followers on social media to “say a prayer for everyone involved.” Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin stated that “extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts.”
The FAA and other relevant authorities are investigating the cause of the collision. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
