Rescue teams are actively working following a collision between a military helicopter and a passenger aircraft. An eyewitness shared details of the tragic incident, some captured in video footage.
The plane was scheduled to land around 9 p.m., but its approach was cut short when D.C. police received emergency calls at 8:53 p.m. reporting “an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.” Defense officials stated that the Black Hawk was conducting a training mission at the time.
Stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the 12th Aviation Battalion specializes in helicopter transport and technical rescue operations for the National Capital Region. However, the helicopter’s departure location before the crash has yet to be determined.
The crash disrupted air traffic, diverting 19 flights
to Dulles International Airport. With Reagan National among the nation’s busiest airspaces, coordination is critical. Air traffic controllers had instructed the helicopter to maneuver around the approaching jet just before the collision.
Moments before the crash, an air traffic controller directed the helicopter to pass behind the approaching jet. The pilot confirmed visual contact and requested separation. Seconds later, recordings captured shocked reactions from the control tower as routine communication turned to disaster.
A video recorded by EarthCam appears to capture the moment of impact, showing the aircraft and helicopter colliding in the sky before erupting into flames. The mid-air collision was witnessed by several onlookers, including Ari Schulman, who observed the aircraft’s final moments while driving home.
Initially, the plane appeared normal as it neared land, flying approximately 120 feet above the water. Moments later, it banked sharply beyond 90 degrees.
Schulman recalled, “I could see the underside of it. It was lit up a very bright yellow, and there was a stream of sparks underneath it.” Shortly after, the sky went dark.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Reagan National Airport will stay closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m., with all flights suspended as the investigation continues.
After the wreckage, emergency crews turned their efforts to locating survivors. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that “both aircraft are in the water” and that 64 people were aboard the American Airlines plane, while three were in the military helicopter.
“The focus now is rescuing people, and that’s what all of our personnel are focused on,” she stated, emphasizing the urgency of search and rescue operations. Authorities have reportedly not confirmed any casualties as of this writing, leaving families in limbo.
“There were people at the airport who were there to pick up loved ones,” said Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter. He noted that families had been directed to the designated support center, where counselors were available to assist them.
Among them was Hamaad Raza, who lost contact with his wife moments before the crash. “I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now,” he stated in an interview.
Per reports, several U.S. figure skating community members were on board. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran called the tragedy “a very personal circumstance” for his state, noting the deep connections many have to those on the flight.
Meanwhile, details regarding recovery efforts and the ongoing investigation remain undisclosed, with the National Transportation Safety Board set to lead the inquiry.
As rescue crews worked against time, footage captured the intensity of their efforts. D.C. resident Abadi Ismail recorded a video showing helicopters flying over the Potomac River, their searchlights scanning the crash site.
“I heard two unusual bangs, something I’ve never heard of,” said Ismail, describing the noise as something that “kind of sounded like a warzone.” Rushing to his window, he initially saw only a faint trace of smoke. As search teams mobilized, the scene quickly transformed. “Rescue helicopters and boats have now lit up the area,” he divulged.
As families wait anxiously for news, search teams are working in treacherous conditions to locate possible survivors. Nearly 300 first responders are navigating darkness, strong winds, and near-freezing temperatures in the Potomac River, making rescue efforts increasingly difficult.
“It’s a highly complex operation. The conditions out there are extremely rough,” said D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly. He highlighted the difficulties crews faced, noting that access to the site was a major challenge.
According to him, the water is approximately eight feet deep, with strong winds and floating ice, making conditions hazardous and difficult to navigate.
John Donnelly speaks at a press conference on January 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
With river temperatures near 35 degrees Fahrenheit, the risk of hypothermia is high. Cold shock can cause gasping and hyperventilation within seconds, while dexterity loss can occur in three minutes.
Unconsciousness may follow within 15 to 30 minutes, with survival times ranging from 30 to 90 minutes, indicating the urgency of the operation.
Emergency response units assemble at Ronald Reagan Washington Airport on January 30, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. | Source: Getty Images
With the search underway, the FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team has joined recovery efforts, with specialized agents from the Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team (USERT) navigating the challenging conditions of the Potomac River.
This plane crash marks the first major U.S. commercial aviation disaster since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, claiming 49 lives.
A helicopter flies near the crash site on January 30, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. | Source: Getty Images
Other deadly incidents include the 2013 Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco, which left three dead and nearly 200 injured, and a 2018 Southwest Airlines incident where a passenger died after an engine failure.
The recent accident has left communities across the region seeking solace and unity during this difficult time. A city prayer vigil to support those affected was scheduled for January 30 at noon in the Wichita City Council Chambers. All community members are invited to join in prayer and support one another.