Washington, D.C. – An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River after a midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials confirmed.
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, battling freezing conditions as they searched for survivors. Authorities have reported multiple fatalities, though the exact number remains undisclosed.
Eyewitnesses described a fiery explosion in the sky before debris rained down into the river. “It was a terrifying sight—flames, smoke, and then silence before rescue boats arrived,” one witness recalled.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Flight operations in the area remain heavily disrupted as recovery efforts continue.
Officials urge the public to avoid the vicinity while emergency crews work through the night. More details will be released as the investigation progresses.
