18 bodies found after plane crash in Potomac River.

A passenger plane carrying 64 people, including passengers and crew, has crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, DC, after colliding mid-air with a US Army helicopter. 

So far, search and rescue teams have recovered 18 bodies from the river, where conditions are freezing, according to reports from CBC.

US authorities are investigating the incident, and all flights at the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have been grounded.

What Happened?

Around 9:00 PM local time (2:00 AM GMT) on Wednesday, a PSA Airlines jet operating as American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a US Army helicopter as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

The passenger plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, and was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, American Airlines stated. 

The Pentagon confirmed that the helicopter involved was a Sikorsky H-60 that had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia, with three US soldiers on board.

The FAA has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the incident, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Were There Casualties?

Officials in Washington, DC, declined to confirm reports about casualties during a press conference, stating that they were focused on rescue efforts. 

However, reports say that 18 bodies had been pulled from the water. 

Initial reports from US media indicated that the passenger plane appeared to be split in half in the Potomac River, while the helicopter was found upside down in the water.

Approximately 300 responders in rubber boats have been deployed to search for survivors, according to Washington DC Fire and Emergency Services Chief John Donnelly. 

He noted, “The challenge is access; there is wind and pieces of ice on the water. It is dangerous and hard to work in.”

What Are Eyewitness Accounts?

Ari Schulman told NBC Washington that he witnessed the crash while driving on the George Washington Parkway, which runs alongside the airport. 

He observed the plane’s approach seemed normal until it suddenly banked hard to the right, with “streams of sparks” illuminating its underside. 

At that moment, he realized something was seriously wrong, noting that a plane’s belly should not have been visible at night.

The sparks resembled a “giant roman candle” and extended from the plane’s nose to its tail. 

Jimmy Mazeo, who saw the crash while dining with his girlfriend at a park near the airport, recalled observing what looked like a “white flare” in the sky.

He mentioned that planes landing at Ronald Reagan Airport appeared to be flying in “irregular patterns.” Initially, he did not think much of what he saw until emergency services began to arrive at the scene.

What Are US Officials Saying?

President Donald Trump stated he has been fully briefed on the “terrible accident” and is closely monitoring the situation. “May God bless their souls,” he expressed in a statement. 

“Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders.” On his TruthSocial account, he also raised questions about how the incident occurred, stating, 

“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”

Vice President JD Vance called for prayers for those affected by the incident. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who were recently confirmed in their positions, also mentioned that they were monitoring the situation. 

When asked if flight paths near Ronald Reagan Airport would be adjusted following the incident, Secretary Duffy replied, “We will take appropriate action if necessary. There will be a review of what happened here tonight.” 

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed his “deep sorrow” about the collision in a video posted to the airline’s website.

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