Henrico County, Va. — A tragic incident unfolded Wednesday night when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army UH-60 helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The crash occurred around 9 p.m., and the plane, carrying 60 passengers and crew members, plunged into the Potomac River. Authorities are reporting casualties, though the exact number remains unknown as of the latest updates.
The collision forced DCA to halt all air traffic as emergency responders quickly rushed to the scene. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to recover victims from the wreckage, though the severity of the crash has led to concerns about the number of fatalities.
The American Airlines flight, Flight 5342, was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided with the military helicopter. The crash has prompted an immediate response from both federal and local authorities. As of 11 p.m., two flights scheduled to land at DCA were diverted to Richmond International Airport (RIC), located about 100 miles south of Washington, D.C. Among the diverted flights were JetBlue Flight 1453 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and American Airlines Flight 2890 from Savannah, Georgia. Both flights landed at RIC around 9:30 p.m. and passengers were safely disembarked.
In response to the ongoing emergency, RIC officials have warned that further diversions may occur throughout the night as the situation continues to develop. The diversion of flights has caused significant delays, and travelers are being advised to stay in close contact with airlines for updates.
Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) expressed his condolences in a statement released via social media. “I’m closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and my office is in touch with officials as the response effort begins,” Warner said. “My thoughts are with all victims and first responders as they address this concerning and tragic incident.”
As of now, investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, and more details are expected as the rescue and recovery efforts progress. Those who believe they may have had loved ones aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 are encouraged to call 800-679-8215 for more information.
This is a developing story, and more updates will be provided as they become available.
