Aircraft Collision and Rescue Operation Underway in Washington DC
DC Fire and EMS reported the deployment of fireboats to the scene following a serious incident. Washington, DC police announced via X that a search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after an aircraft crash.
Footage captured by an observation camera at the Kennedy Center depicted two sets of lights consistent with aircraft engagement resulting in a fireball.
The local airport confirmed that emergency personnel are responding to "an aircraft incident on the airfield." This incident involves a midair collision between a US military Sikorsky H-60 helicopter and a PSA Airlines regional jet, which was operating as flight 5342 for American Airlines and had taken off from Wichita, Kansas.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the collision occurred while the regional jet was approaching Reagan Washington National Airport, which has a passenger capacity of 65. In response to the incident, police confirmed that multiple agencies are participating in the rescue efforts along the Potomac River, with no immediate reports of casualties available.
As the rescue operation takes place, the airport announced a halt on all takeoffs and landings while emergency services attend to the situation. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently collecting additional information regarding the incident.
