An American Airlines jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk army helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport in Washington DC on Wednesday evening. The incident took place in one of the most tightly controlled and monitored airspaces in the United States, highlighting the challenges of managing high volumes of air traffic. The aftermath saw both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River.
The American Eagle Flight 5342, a CRJ700 Bombardier operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita, Kansas. The flight carried 60 passengers, including ice skaters, their families, and coaches returning from events, along with four crew members. In contrast, the Black Hawk helicopter was conducting a military training flight out of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
The airspace around Reagan National Airport is a hub of activity, frequently hosting both military and commercial flights. It is commonplace for aircraft to ferry thousands of passengers daily, including top government and military officials. The airport's main north-south runway, which handles over 800 takeoffs and landings each day, is considered the busiest in the country.
Moments before the collision, an air traffic controller communicated with the helicopter crew, asking if they had the incoming plane in sight. Less than 30 seconds later, the two aircraft collided. Earlier, the controller had requested the jet's pilots to land on a shorter runway rather than the main north-south runway, a suggestion they accepted.
This tragic event is not an isolated incident for Reagan National Airport. The facility has a history of near-miss incidents, including two reported cases in May and April of 2024. Such occurrences have raised questions about airspace management and safety within such a congested area.