A devastating midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport triggered an extensive search and rescue operation in the frigid waters of the Potomac River. Newly released air traffic control audio has provided a chilling glimpse into the moments leading up to and following the crash, shedding light on the tragic incident.
The disaster occurred when an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair near the airport. The impact sent the commercial aircraft plunging into the icy river, with the wreckage of both aircraft scattered across the water. Officials confirmed multiple fatalities, though as of the latest reports, no survivors had been recovered.
In response to the tragedy, authorities suspended all operations at the airport until at least 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, as first responders worked tirelessly to search for victims and recover debris.
American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The Black Hawk helicopter, conducting a training flight with three soldiers aboard, was operating in the same airspace when the collision occurred. Aviation and defense officials reported that the passenger plane was in pieces in the river, while the remains of the helicopter were found nearby.
Air traffic control recordings captured the tense moments leading up to the crash. In the audio, a controller is heard asking the helicopter crew, “PAT 2-5, do you have the CRJ in sight?” Moments later, the controller instructs, “PAT 2-5, pass behind the CRJ.” The Black Hawk pilot then confirms visual contact with the aircraft, stating, “PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation.”
Just 13 seconds later, the recording captures an audible gasp from the control tower, followed by a shocked reaction, indicating the moment of impact. Air traffic controllers immediately alerted another pilot about the unfolding disaster, warning of an indefinite shutdown at the airport.
“I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach end of Runway 33,” an air traffic controller informed a pilot. “We are going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future. If you want to go back to the gate, I highly suggest you coordinate with the company. Let me know what you want to do.”
Another pilot who witnessed the incident radioed in, saying, “Yeah, we were on short final, and we saw flares from the opposite side of the Potomac.” Meanwhile, an approach controller confirmed, “Apparently, both aircraft involved are in the river. A search and rescue will be ongoing.”
The crash resulted in significant disruptions at Reagan National Airport, with flights being diverted to other locations. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter acknowledged the tragedy, stating that American Airlines had set up a support center inside the airport to assist the families of those aboard the flight.
“We’ve directed the families there, and counselors are on-site to provide assistance,” Potter said.
Rescue operations have been complicated by the difficult conditions of the Potomac River. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that the river has an average depth of 24 feet, with some areas reaching 107 feet near Morgantown, Maryland. Frigid temperatures and strong currents have made recovery efforts even more challenging.
President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy on his Truth Social platform, questioning the circumstances surrounding the collision.
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time,” he wrote.
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane? This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!” he concluded.
The collision serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of congested airspace near major airports and echoes other recent aviation disasters, such as the October 2024 helicopter crash into a radio tower in Houston.
As search teams continue working at the crash site and investigators piece together the final moments before impact, air traffic control recordings will be instrumental in determining the cause of this devastating accident.
