A Tragic Night in the Skies: The Mid-Air Collision Near Reagan Airport
On a cold, clear night on January 29, 2025, tragedy struck the skies near Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. A mid-air collision between a regional jet and a military helicopter sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving families devastated and first responders racing against time to save lives.
The incident has sparked a flood of reactions from leaders, including former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and others, as the investigation into what went wrong continues.
The Crash: What Happened?
Around 9 p.m. local time, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as American Eagle Flight 5342, was approaching Runway 33 at Reagan Airport. The plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, had just departed from Wichita, Kansas. At the same time, a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter, with a three-member crew, was flying in the same airspace.
Image from the plane crash tonight in Washington DC. Tragic. My heart breaks for everyone affected. pic.twitter.com/p14uxAa1Ox
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) January 30, 2025
In a horrifying moment, the two aircraft collided mid-air. The impact sent both planes plummeting into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The wreckage scattered across three debris fields, making rescue efforts incredibly challenging.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) quickly released a statement confirming the collision and announcing that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would lead the investigation. The FAA promised to keep the public updated as more information became available.
Trump Speaks Out: “NOT GOOD!!!”
Former President Donald Trump was one of the first to react to the tragedy. Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, he shared his thoughts in two posts. In his first message, Trump described the scene, noting that the regional jet was on a routine and precise approach to the airport. He questioned why the helicopter didn’t take evasive action, writing:
“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? NOT GOOD!!!”
In his second post, Trump expressed his sorrow and called for prayers for the victims and their families. He ended his message with a heartfelt, “God bless you all!”
White House Responds: “A Tragic Situation”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also addressed the crash during an interview with TV host Sean Hannity. She confirmed that President Trump had been briefed on the situation and emphasized the administration’s focus on supporting those affected.
“I can confirm that President Trump has been made aware of the situation, and tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C.,” Leavitt said.
“That’s all I can confirm at this point in time, and I can just say that the thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved. We ask the public in this area to please stand by for guidance from law enforcement and allow them to do their jobs as they attempt to save lives right now.”
VP JD Vance: “Please Say a Prayer”
Vice President JD Vance also shared a brief but emotional message on social media. He urged the public to pray for everyone involved in the crash and assured them that the administration was closely monitoring the situation.
“Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now, let’s hope for the best,” Vance wrote.
The Rescue Mission: A Race Against Time
As news of the crash spread, emergency responders rushed to the scene. About 300 firefighters, divers, and other rescue workers braved freezing temperatures, strong winds, and icy waters to search for survivors. The conditions were brutal, with water temperatures so cold that the chances of survival were slim.
By 6:45 a.m. ET, authorities had recovered at least 30 bodies, but no survivors had been found. Divers also retrieved luggage, debris, and one of the aircraft’s black boxes, though it was unclear whether it was the cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder.
John Donnelly, Chief of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services, described the challenges faced by responders:
“It’s a highly complex operation. The conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders. It’s cold. They’re dealing with relatively windy conditions.”
A Heartbreaking Story: Hamaad Raza’s Agony
Among the many families affected by the crash, one story stood out. Hamaad Raza, a senior associate at EY-Parthenon, was waiting at Reagan Airport for his wife, who was on the ill-fated flight. The couple had been married for just over two years, and his wife, 26, had traveled to Wichita for work.
Raza shared the last message he received from his wife before the crash: “We’re landing in 20.” When his replies stopped delivering, he knew something was wrong.
“I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now as we speak. That’s all I can pray for. I’m just praying to God,” Raza said, his voice filled with despair. He added that his wife had always been afraid of flying, making the tragedy even more painful.
Experts Weigh In: Could This Have Been Avoided?
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, aviation experts have begun to speculate. Retired American Airlines pilot Doug Rice pointed out that the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), designed to prevent mid-air collisions, is ineffective below 700 feet. This could have played a role in the tragedy.
Data from flight tracking websites showed that the regional jet was descending steadily from the south, while the Black Hawk helicopter was descending from the north along the Potomac River. The close proximity of their flight paths, combined with potential communication failures, may have led to the collision.
Leaders Offer Condolences
The crash has drawn reactions from leaders across the country. Kansas Senator Roger Marshall called the incident “nothing short of a nightmare” and offered prayers for the victims and their families. Alyia Gaskins, the Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, praised the efforts of local emergency teams and expressed her condolences to those affected.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also shared a message, stating that the Pentagon was closely monitoring the situation and stood ready to assist if needed.
A Nation in Mourning
As the investigation continues, the nation is left grappling with the enormity of the tragedy. The last major U.S. commercial air disaster occurred in February 2009, when a Continental Airlines flight crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing 49 people. Now, as the current crisis unfolds, people are holding onto hope for any survivors while sending their prayers to the families of those confirmed to have lost their lives.
Former President Trump summed up the feelings of many when he called the crash “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.” He added, “May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
For now, the focus remains on the search and rescue efforts, as well as supporting the families of the victims. The icy waters of the Potomac River have become a symbol of both tragedy and the relentless determination of those working to bring closure to this heartbreaking event.
