[Video] Passenger jet collides with army helicopter near Reagan Airport prompting rescue efforts

A chilling incident unfolded on Wednesday evening near Washington’s Reagan National Airport as a regional passenger jet collided with a military helicopter during its landing approach. The aircraft, carrying 60 passengers along with four crew members, prompted an extensive search-and-rescue effort in the Potomac River, immediately raising concerns about potential casualties.

As chaos erupted following the midair collision, takeoffs and landings were swiftly halted at the airport. Law enforcement agencies mobilized helicopters to scour the area for survivors, while inflatable rescue boats were deployed from the nearby George Washington Parkway, positioning themselves near the site of the impact.

In the wake of the crash, President Donald Trump expressed his sorrow, stating he had been “fully briefed on this terrible accident” and offering prayers for those involved, saying, “May God Bless their souls.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the mishap occurred around 9 p.m. EST, as the Bombardier CRJ-701 regional jet from Wichita, Kansas, approached for landing. This area is known for its stringent air traffic control, sitting just over three miles from landmarks like the White House and Capitol.

Flight data revealed that the aircraft experienced a rapid loss of altitude, descending from about 400 feet and traveling at roughly 140 miles per hour just moments prior to the collision. Air traffic controllers communicated with the jet shortly before the incident, suggesting it land on the shorter Runway 33. The pilots confirmed their readiness, and clearance was given. Just seconds before the accident, an air traffic controller inquired if the helicopter had visual contact with the approaching jet, suggesting it pass behind the CRJ-701. However, moments later, the collision occurred.

The radio transponder of the passenger jet ceased transmitting approximately 2,400 feet from the runway, indicating a critical failure as it neared the river. Video footage captured from the Kennedy Center showed a shocking fireball form as the two aircraft collided.

This incident places high scrutiny on recent leadership at two critical agencies in the Trump administration. Newly appointed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated through social media that his department was “actively monitoring” the situation. Concurrently, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was sworn in only days prior, stated he was observing developments at the FAA headquarters.

Reagan National Airport, celebrated for its proximity to downtown DC, offers stunning views of iconic landmarks for incoming flights. This incident bears an unsettling resemblance to the tragic 1982 Air Florida crash, which saw an aircraft plummet into the Potomac, claiming 78 lives amid adverse weather conditions.

7 responses to “[Video] Passenger jet collides with army helicopter near Reagan Airport prompting rescue efforts”

  1. Marlene Saad Avatar
    Marlene Saad

    How many did not survive??

    Reply
  2. Sharon Mazzarella Avatar
    Sharon Mazzarella

    Excellent reporting!!! Hoping my flights tomorrow to Ft.Myers, Fl. from San Antonio, Texas don’t become another headline!! More must be done on inspecting flights before & after flights!!!! Cause anything can happen to instruments inbetween flights, anything!!! I’m going to be 75 Feb.6th and that’s too young to die when starting a new life with this move!!!!! I’m too young to go right now!!! God has blessed me and I hope for more in this new move. Still pray for his blessings to come…..

    Reply
  3. David Martin Barron Avatar
    David Martin Barron

    Air Traffic control is not allowed to make errors or it kills people. It has to be 100% correct at all times. To become an ATC Controller takes years of training, a fanominal memory, timing, and the ability to play a game of 3D chess while eating your lunch and playing a harmonica. If DEI was involved then this midair accident if 100% proof it does not work to put unqualified people in place as an ATC controller. Now some people are dead over some people not paying attention to their jobs. There are seperation standards in the 7110.– of 10 miles in trail, 1000 feet vertically and lateral seperation depending on the situation. With Radar and eyeball seperation there is absolutely NO excuse for this.

    Reply
    1. Dr. J. Boost Avatar
      Dr. J. Boost

      Quite simply: There is no space for anything outside Tower Control in an airport- and all flight approach areas!

      Reply
  4. Dr. J. Boost Avatar
    Dr. J. Boost

    Washington air collision end Jan 25
    The entire event is strange:

    Admittedly, the passenger jet’s approach is an unusual one: Not straight and on Instrument Landing, but in left turn curve (~30′) immediately before landing, but executed on perfect sight conditions.

    The helicopter flying in not fully straight line, clearly crossing the jet’s landing path – and whoever was at the controls would have seen the jet coming ahead, slightly on left side AND leaning sidewise (see lights) for the curve. Thus, the chopper pilot would have known about the jet’s turning course.

    A plane on landing approach goes at low speed and reduced maneuverability. The jet pilot “could” have avoided the chopper (which he saw, too) by leveling his plane and going straight – BUT HE WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT THE CHOPPER PILOT TO LEAVE HIS PATH AND GO, MOST LIKELY, TOWARDS BEHIND THE JET, i.e. TO HIS OWN LEFT ! (alternative: change rotor blade angle for ascent – but not recommendable because of proximity to jet).

    BUT INSTEAD, THE CHOPPER TURNED RIGHT (~10-15’) THE MINUTE BEFORE COLLISION!!! WHY!!!

    What caused an additional danger was the lacking TOWER COMMAND: The “Do you see CRJ?” was useless – OF COURSE, HE SAW IT!
    INSTEAD: “Pat25 – TURN TO PORT, BEHIND JET!” – CORRECTION: THEY SAID THAT, TOO! (other report). But chopper pilot disobeyed order!
    So, WHY he did NOT do the most sensible – or, if it was a training flight: Where the flight Instructor had left his brain is beyond any imagination!

    PS: Witness report of the AA jet “banking to the right – up to 90′ – is a bit …. well, let’s say, would only be possible, if jet pilots had LAST MOMENT(!) realized the chopper going to hit them – AND RIPPED THEIR PLANE ROUND TO THE RIGHT TO SWERVE PAST IT! – TOO LATE – BUT THEY NEVER EXPECTED THAT APPROACH! [if they had turned further left, with the plane already left leaning(!), immediate banking would have been most likely – Ripping the plane over, up and right (with full throttle!) could get increased air effect – but would have to be handled with GREAT SENSIVITY! or could cause banking and crash.

    However, the breaking of the jet’s body in two indicates that it was hit before the fall – So, this report is not fully clear. I assume the jet was hit and cut sideways!

    D. J. Boost

    (ex NATO airspace controller)

    Reply
  5. Trish Avatar
    Trish

    The chopper was too high, should have only been 200 feet. The sudden drop of the plane, he was landing. The jet did not hit the chopper, but the chopper hit the jet. Every angle you look at on line shows you that.

    Reply
  6. Robert A. Scott Avatar
    Robert A. Scott

    I flew a Huey (UH1H) in and out of the Pentagon in that area almost daily and we and all helicopters were required to be at 200ft. or below in that area.

    Reply

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