
A tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington’s Potomac River has left the nation in shock, with newly released audio and footage shedding light on the final moments before disaster struck.
Key Takeaways
- An American Airlines CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport.
- Air traffic control audio captured the final communications, including instructions for the helicopter to pass behind the jet moments before the crash.
- The collision was inadvertently captured on a webcam from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
- Several U.S. Figure Skaters were reportedly passengers on the airline jet, emphasizing the human tragedy of the incident.
- This marks the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009, prompting investigations by the Army and Department of Defense.
The Collision
An American Airlines CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident, which occurred under clear skies with 10 miles visibility, has become the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009.
The collision took place about half a mile off the approach to Runway 33, resulting in both aircraft plummeting into the river in a fiery crash. The Black Hawk, identified with the call sign PAT25, was conducting a training flight from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
DISPATCH AUDIO FROM REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT: An American Airlines small eagle plane collided with a military helicopter, crashing into the Potomac River near D.C.'s Reagan National Airport Wednesday.
More details: https://t.co/4UREknpVPM pic.twitter.com/d55WFgEwsp— NBC Montana (@NBCMontana) January 30, 2025
Final Moments Captured
Audio recordings from LiveATC.net have revealed the frantic communications between air traffic controllers in the moments leading up to and following the collision. In a chilling exchange, an air traffic controller can be heard instructing the helicopter: “PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ”
Moments later, the gravity of the situation became apparent as controllers declared an emergency: “Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three”
The collision was inadvertently captured by a webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, providing visual evidence of the tragic event. This footage, along with the air traffic control audio, will likely play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.
Immediate Aftermath and Response
In the wake of the collision, Reagan Washington National Airport swiftly shut down operations. An air traffic controller conveyed the gravity of the situation to other aircraft in the vicinity, “I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach into 33. We’re going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future”
First responders immediately launched search and rescue operations in the Potomac River, though many were feared dead. The airport remained closed to flights until at least 11 a.m. Thursday, as authorities worked to manage the crisis and begin their investigation.
Human Impact and Investigation
The tragedy has touched many lives, with reports indicating that several skaters from U.S. Figure Skating were on board the American Airlines flight. While no senior military officials were on the helicopter, the loss of life in both aircraft has sent shockwaves through the nation.
The U.S. Army and the Department of Defense have initiated investigations into the crash. As the first incident involving a U.S. commercial flight in over a decade, this tragedy will likely lead to a comprehensive review of air traffic control procedures and aviation safety protocols in the Washington, D.C. area.
Sources:
Air Traffic Controller Captures Crash Audio
Air traffic control audio details deadly Washington plane crash: ‘I just saw a fireball’