The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating an aircraft collision near Washington, D.C., late Wednesday in which a regional passenger flight plunged into the Potomac River.
According to the FAA, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines and departed from Wichita, Kan.
Officials said Thursday morning there are no expected survivors and that rescue teams have recovered 28 bodies. Some of the victims were figure skaters and coaches who had been part of the national competition held in Wichita from Jan. 20-26, U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement Thursday.
The passenger aircraft was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers, according to officials.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is owned by the federal government and operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Congress has exclusive federal jurisdiction over the airport.
“I know that flight, I’ve flown it many times myself. I lobbied American Airlines to begin having a direct, nonstop flight service to DCA,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said at a press briefing early Thursday morning. “That flight has been in existence for about a year, and it is certainly true that in Kansas and in Wichita in particular, we’re going to know people who are on this flight.”
“We’ll do everything we can to make certain that our subcommittee and Congress is engaged in what needs to take place following the outcome of this evening and this month’s … investigation,” he said. Moran is the chairman of the Senate Commerce Aviation Subcommittee.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, who was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday, said at the press briefing that he has been in contact with President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and that they will offer “all the support necessary” to D.C. and local rescue teams and investigators.
“I’ve been secretary for a little over a day, and the tragedy that we’re going to deal with, with this recovery, I think it’s touching everyone’s hearts, whether it’s here in the greater D.C. area or in Kansas,” Duffy said.
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Wednesday night in a post on X that he will receive further briefings from the FAA on Thursday.
Trump said in a statement on Thursday that he’s been “fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. … Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
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