Plane carrying 64 people crashes after collision with military helicopter in the United States

Washington, January 30 : A major plane accident occurred in the United States. According to The Wall Street Journal, a passenger plane collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter near Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport. The American Airlines jet, carrying 64 people, crashed into the Potomac River. The plane had 60 passengers and 4 crew members. After the accident, Reagan National Airport was closed. There were three people aboard the military helicopter.

According to USA Today, the incident happened around 9 PM on Wednesday night. Authorities said a large search and rescue operation was launched in the Potomac River. The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. The passenger plane had taken off from Wichita, Kansas.

Reagan National Airport issued a statement saying that all takeoffs and landings were halted. The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department reported that the plane had fallen into the Potomac River. Fireboats are in the river. No confirmed information regarding casualties has been released yet.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, local police and other agencies are present at the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said that President Donald Trump has been informed of the incident. Levitt stated that prayers are being offered for the safety of the passengers.

Fire and police officials in Washington D.C. said that multiple agencies are involved in the search and rescue operation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Pentagon is monitoring the situation.

According to CNN, Edward Kelly, General Secretary of the International Association of Fire Fighters, stated on X (formerly Twitter), "Search and rescue efforts in the Potomac River are ongoing. Every possible effort is being made to safely bring out survivors." An American defense official confirmed that there were three crew members in the helicopter, and no VIPs were aboard. Senior military officials often use Black Hawks for travel in the Washington D.C. area.