Passenger Plane Crashes With US Army Black Hawk Near Washington DC, Rescue Operations Underway

A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred near Washington DC’s Reagan Airport on Wednesday (29 January) night. The crash resulted in the plane plunging into the Potomac River, with early reports confirming more than 30 fatalities. Rescue teams are actively searching for survivors, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, reported Reuters.

The passenger plane was carrying 60 travelers and four crew members when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers on board. The incident took place as the aircraft was approaching Reagan Airport for landing. Air traffic at the airport has been completely halted as emergency responders conduct search and recovery operations.

President Donald Trump addressed the situation shortly after the crash, calling it a “terrible accident” and stating that he was closely monitoring developments. In a statement on Truth Social, he raised concerns about the decisions made by the helicopter crew and air traffic controllers, writing, "This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!", quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Senator Ted Cruz confirmed that fatalities have been reported but refrained from providing further details. Meanwhile, NBC's Washington affiliate, News4, cited sources confirming that over 30 bodies had been recovered from the Potomac River.

The Pentagon has announced a full-scale investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that the helicopter crew was aware of the approaching plane, as recorded in radio communications with the air traffic control tower. However, the exact circumstances leading to the crash remain unclear.

Dozens of firefighters and emergency personnel are currently engaged in intensive dive operations, searching for possible survivors and retrieving wreckage. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are expected to provide further updates as more details emerge.