An American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines using a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, collided midair with a U.S. Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening. The passenger plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was on its approach to Runway 33 at approximately 8:53 p.m. local time when the crash occurred. The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, before plunging into the Potomac River following the collision.

According to law enforcement, multiple deceased bodies have been recovered from the river by police and rescue teams, though no official casualty count has been released. Fireboats and Maryland State Police divers are on the scene conducting search and rescue operations.

The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three soldiers, was not transporting any VIPs at the time of the collision. Defense officials have confirmed that the helicopter was part of the Army’s fleet.

The crash has prompted the closure of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, with flights being diverted to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead. Officials confirmed the collision happened within one of the nation's most sensitive and complex air corridors, a zone near high-security landmarks such as the White House, U.S. Capitol, and Pentagon.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were clear, with visibility reported at 10 miles. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the Department of Defense is closely monitoring developments.

The crash has reignited concerns about safety at Reagan National Airport, which has experienced a string of close calls over the past year involving both commercial and private aircraft. Officials and lawmakers have previously warned that the airport’s heavy traffic and operational constraints could lead to catastrophic incidents.

The FAA and NTSB are expected to release further updates as the investigation unfolds.

**We will continue to update this as more information comes in**