It’s a devastatingly sad day for all Americans, the aviation industry, and for American Airlines/PSA Airlines employees and frequent flyers. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.

Here’s what you need to know:

A regional American Airlines CRJ-700 jet, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter over Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night.

The plane took off at 5:39pm from Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas (ICT) with 60 passengers and four crew members (two pilots and two flight attendants). It was scheduled to land at 8:30pm at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), but about a minute before its expected arrival at 8:48pm, it went off radar. FlightAware, the flight tracking software, shows the flight path not completing its route and is just short of the airport (see screenshot above).


Embedded above is a video and the ATC audio of the collision, which took place over the Potomac River.


According to emergency officials, there are no survivors.

ESPN is reporting that figure skaters, their coaches and family members were passengers on the American Airlines jet and U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement: “U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.” They ended with: “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”

American Airlines statement
If you log on to the American Airlines website or app, you will find a link to their statement on the crash. It reads: “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 800-679-8215 directly.

American Airlines will continue to release information as it becomes available. Please monitor news.aa.com and American’s official X account @AmericanAir for the latest information.”

YouTube video

Robert Isom, the airlines CEO, recorded this video statement (embedded above) before departing for Washington DC.

According to a flight attendant forum on Facebook, American Airlines “immediately opened their lounge for families/loved ones impacted there at DCA and counselors were immediately dispatched.”

This is the first major commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009.


It’s not unusual to see these military helicopters go up and down the Potomac and a passenger recorded the above video of what it looks like on any given day.


Here’s an interesting post from a former Black Hawk pilot, who was a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief in the Army and a flight Instructor.

DCA is currently closed but expected to open back up in a couple of hours.

I will continue to update this post when pertinent information becomes available or new developments occur.

It is difficult to find the right words, but my deepest, most heartfelt condolences go out to all those who have been impacted by this tragedy.

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2 Comments On "New details emerge about American Airlines regional jet that crashed into the Potomac River and American Airlines CEO releases statement"
  1. Richard G Allen|

    Well, you have done it again. In two separate places in your Thursday, January 30, 2025 Newsletter you state “It’s a devastatingly sad day for all Americans, the aviation industry, and for American Airlines/PSA Airlines employees and frequent flyers.” I am an American Airlines Frequent Flyer and can you explain exactly how this is a more devastatingly sad day for me that for all of the other people who care about the wonderful souls that lost their lives in this tragic accident? Somehow you need to get some help to understand what constitutes a tragedy. I would give up my 250,000 frequent flyer points to bring back even one of these passengers.

  2. Matthew Graham|

    He literally wrote in the next sentence: “My heart goes out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.” Who are you to suggest that he doesn’t understand this tragedy? People like you find the strangest way to attempt to put down others while I can only suppose you’re trying to make yourself feel bigger and better. You are the one who should understand that a tragedy like this is neither the time nor the place for a comment like yours.

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