Search Underway For Survivors, If Any. 60 On Board Plane. Three On Board Military Chopper. All South Florida Flights To, From DCA Cancelled.
UPDATE: 11 a.m. — DCA is now open and flights are slowly resuming to and from the airport.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The crash of a Blackhawk Helicopter to an American Airlines flight — which plummeted into the Potomac River — has led to the cancellation of every flight into and out of Regan National Airport Thursday. Flight boards at Palm Beach International Airport, Miami International, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood international showing all flights to DCA and from DCA “cancelled” Thursday morning.
Initial reports indicate that a U.S. Military Blackhawk Helicopter crashed into the passenger plane around 8:47 Wednesday night. The plane and chopper seemingly exploded, plummeting into the Potomac River. American Airlines reports 60 passengers were on board the flight identified as AA5342 from Wichita, Kansas. It was a CRJ-700, a regional jet. It was operated by American Airlines subsidiary PSA Airlines as an “American Eagle” flight.
Surveillance video shows a plane and the chopper approaching the same area near DCA — then a large blast of light. That’s believed to be impact. Military officials say the Army UH-60 Blackhawk was on a training mission. Several members of the U.S. Figure Skating team were on board the American Airlines flight.
The frigid waters of the Potomac are hampering rescue operations. Some reports from the scene suggest that ‘rescue’ has transitioned into a ‘recovery’ as of 5:30 a.m. While Regan National Airport/DCA is closed until further notice, flights continue in and out of Washington Dulles and Baltimore Washington International Airport.
American Airlines issued this statement: “American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215directly.”
