A catastrophic midair collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington, DC, has resulted in no survivors, officials confirmed. According to local media reports, 28 bodies have been recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac River following the devastating crash.
Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly announced at a press conference at Reagan National Airport that rescue efforts had officially transitioned into a recovery operation.
“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors,” Donnelly stated solemnly. “We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.”
Air Traffic Control Audio Reveals Desperate Warning
Disturbing audio recordings from air traffic control capture the moments before the fatal collision, revealing urgent warnings given to the Black Hawk helicopter about its proximity to the Bombardier passenger jet operated by an American Airlines subsidiary.
BREAKING NEWS:
A passenger jet collided midair with a black hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River in a mass casualty event in Washington DC.
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“Pat 2-5, do you have the CRJ in sight?” a controller asked the Black Hawk crew, using the helicopter’s call sign.
“Pat 2-5, pass behind the CRJ,” the controller instructed moments before impact.
Gasps could be heard from the control room as the tragic crash unfolded. “Tower, did you see that?” a stunned voice asked, followed by another air traffic controller confirming, “I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river. But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit.”
The ill-fated flight, operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. (Screenshot)
Eyewitnesses Describe Fireball Explosion
The midair collision, which occurred on Wednesday night, sent both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River in a massive explosion. Witnesses reported seeing a “fireball” as the two aircraft made contact, instantly turning the night sky into a blaze of light before the wreckage disappeared into the icy waters below.
Aviation Expert Weighs In on Collision
Aviation expert and pilot Kyle Bailey explained to Fox News that in landing situations, the passenger jet—identified as a Bombardier CRJ—would have had the right of way if it had been cleared for final approach. “The CRJ was likely on a pre-cleared landing path, and the helicopter may have inadvertently entered its airspace,” Bailey noted.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full-scale investigation into the collision. Officials will analyze flight data, air traffic control communications, and eyewitness reports to determine what led to this fatal accident.
Authorities are working to recover the remaining wreckage and bodies from the Potomac River. Families of the victims are being notified, and grief counseling services have been made available.
The incident marks one of the deadliest midair collisions in recent US aviation history, raising urgent questions about air traffic safety protocols and potential lapses that led to the tragedy.
US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to question the actions of both the helicopter crew and air traffic control in the moments leading up to the crash.
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane?” Trump posted.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!” he added.
