By Crash News Writer 
Washington, D.C. (January 30, 2025) – A tragic mid-air collision occurred last night over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., involving American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The passenger jet, a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, had three military personnel on board.
The collision occurred around 9 p.m. as both aircraft were approaching the airport. Following the impact, both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. Emergency responders, including approximately 300 personnel from various agencies, have been conducting search and rescue operations under challenging conditions due to cold temperatures and icy waters. As of this morning, at least 19 fatalities have been confirmed, with ongoing efforts to recover additional victims.
Among the passengers were former world champion figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were returning from a National Development Camp associated with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been briefed on the incident and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the collision.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.
- The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
- Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
- Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.
The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this article. Learn more with our disclaimer.