BREAKING: American Airlines regional jet involved in midair collision with helicopter near DCA, FAA says

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.

An American Airlines regional jet was involved in a midair collision late Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.

In a statement to TPG, the FAA said a regional jet inbound from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military helicopter while  preparing to land at DCA. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, was operated by PSA Airlines, a regional subsidiary of American.

The incident took place at 8:45 p.m. EST, D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed.

For more information, visit https://t.co/ECDOdj1kdr.

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) January 30, 2025

There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the American Eagle flight, the carrier told TPG.

The FAA halted all takeoffs and landings late Wednesday amid a large-scale investigation and search for survivors in the nearby Potomac River.

“They are working diligently in very dark, cold conditions — cold water — to execute this rescue operation,” Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a news conference around 1 a.m. EST Thursday.

The military helicopter involved in Wednesday evening’s crash was in the midst of a training flight, the U.S. Army said. The helicopter had three people on board at the time, Bowser confirmed.

Local and regional fire and emergency responders were on the scene conducting search and rescue into the early hours of Thursday. The U.S. Coast Guard joined the search, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.

Confirmed small aircraft down in Potomac River vicinity Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene. #DCsBravest

— DC Fire and EMS Department (@dcfireems) January 30, 2025

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a video message late Wednesday and confirmed plans to travel to D.C.

“I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events. This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones,” Isom said.

The airline urged those who believe they may have had loved ones on board the flight to call American Airlines toll-free at (800) 679-8215.

As of 1 a.m. EST Thursday, the number of casualties remained unclear. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, the FAA said. NTSB investigators were on the scene early Thursday, the agency confirmed.

NTSB has launched a go-team to the aviation accident involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane and a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) January 30, 2025

The airline dispatched a “go team” to Washington, Isom said in his video message.

“We are actively working with local, state and federal authorities on emergency response efforts,” Isom said.

American planned to set up a communications center inside a DCA Admirals Club, officials confirmed.

Newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy was at FAA headquarters late Wednesday, he said, and directed the agency to support the NTSB and other agencies amid the investigation.

“We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to those individuals who were impacted by the events tonight — their families, we know this is a very difficult time for all of them,” Duffy said at Thursday’s news conference.

The nation’s largest pilots union released a statement late Wednesday that said it was “shocked and saddened by the tragic accident at DCA.”

“Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and ALPA’s accident investigation team is responding to assist the National Transportation Safety Board in their investigation,” the Air Line Pilots Association said.

The closest airport to Washington, D.C., Reagan National sits in some of the most congested and tightly regulated airspace in the country.

Immediately following the crash, 19 aircraft that were in the air were diverted to nearby Dulles International Airport (IAD), according to Jack Potter, CEO of DCA’s governing body, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

As the investigation unfolds, Potter said DCA would remain closed until at least 11 a.m. EST Thursday, though that timeline is likely to remain fluid.

Amid that airport closure, several major U.S. airlines have issued travel waivers allowing passengers with flights to or from the airport over the next day or two to make itinerary changes at no cost.

Some of those travel advisories can be found below:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines
• JetBlue

Prior to Wednesday’s accident, it had been nearly 16 years since the last major crash involving a commercial aircraft on U.S. soil.

This is a developing story. Check back for further updates.