Passenger Jet and Army Helicopter Collide Near Reagan Airport, Prompting Extensive Rescue Efforts

A tragic midair collision occurred on Wednesday evening when a passenger jet carrying 60 travelers and four crew members crashed into an Army helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. The impact led to a major search-and-rescue operation in the Potomac River, with authorities confirming multiple fatalities, though the exact toll remains uncertain as emergency teams continue to search for survivors.

Search and Recovery Underway

Three soldiers were aboard the military helicopter at the time of the incident, an Army official confirmed. While the cause of the collision has not yet been determined, flight operations at the airport were immediately suspended. Specialized dive teams and law enforcement helicopters have been deployed, scanning the wreckage for possible survivors.

Witnesses captured distressing images of boats surrounding a partially submerged aircraft wing and the shattered remains of the fuselage.

“We are committed to recovering our fellow citizens,” stated District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser during a solemn press briefing at the airport. However, she refrained from specifying the number of victims recovered.

High-Profile Reactions

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the presence of multiple casualties.

Senator Roger Marshall expressed deep sorrow, remarking, “Losing one life is heartbreaking, but a tragedy of this scale is beyond comprehension.”

President Donald Trump also addressed the incident, stating that he had been thoroughly briefed on the accident and offering his prayers for those affected.

Passengers Included Figure Skaters and Families

Among the travelers aboard the jet was a group of figure skaters, along with their coaches and family members, who were returning from a training camp following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The organization expressed its grief, stating, “We are devastated by this unimaginable loss and extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.”

Crash Occurred in Restricted Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the collision took place just before 9 p.m. EST. The regional jet had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was nearing the airport runway when it struck the military helicopter, which was on a training mission. The accident happened within some of the most closely monitored airspace in the country, just three miles south of the White House and the Capitol.

Authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the accident while focusing on recovery efforts and providing support to the affected families.