Daylong closure in effect at Reagan National Airport after commercial jet crashes into Potomac River

A PSA Airlines plane collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter late Wednesday evening as the plane was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the collision occurred around 9 p.m. as the plane was approaching Runway 33.

The flight — operated by PSA for American Airlines — departed from Wichita, Kansas, around 5:20 p.m., the FAA said in a statement. American Airlines said it was aware of the incident and confirmed there were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the CRJ700 series aircraft.

Three Army soldiers were on board the Black Hawk helicopter conducting a standard training flight, officials said.

It is not known at this time how many people were injured in the crash.

Earlier footage from an observation camera near the Kennedy Center captured the moment in which two sets of lights, consistent with an aircraft, appeared to explode.

Emergency fireboats are currently on the scene and a helicopter with the Metropolitan Police Department is being used to assist in the multi-agency response, according to officials.

WTOP’s Mike Murillo said first responders were pooled from across the D.C. region, including emergency personnel from Fairfax and Montgomery counties.

“I’ve done this for 20 years — I have not seen this many first responders surrounding the entire Potomac River. It’s lit up on the D.C. side,” Murillo said, while reporting from Daingerfield Island. “They’re calling in every resource they have here tonight.”

Describing the first response scene, Murillo said helicopters could be seen flashing lights down toward the water near Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, adding that there are between three and four areas along the Potomac River being searched by authorities.

“Now, it’s unclear what they’re doing at each site due to the distance. I can’t really tell. It could be where they’re letting boats into the water. But, in some spots, you’re seeing so many emergency vehicles in one spot — it would just seem that there’s also search and recovery going on there as well,” Murillo said.

As operations remain ongoing, cold water warnings issued by the National Weather Service remain in effect. Temperature readings at the Potomac River ranged around 35 degrees on Wednesday.

The agency warned sudden immersion in water temperatures like these could cause cold shock, which can prompt immediate panic, a spike in heart rate and heighten the risk of heart failure.

“It’s eerie, too. You’re right here next to Reagan National Airport. It’s quiet. Nothing,” Murillo said, describing the scene.

“You can see the roads along the river. And, while George Washington Memorial Parkway is still open, there’s not a lot of cars on it. There’s a lot of ramps, too, being blocked by police. They want to make sure these first responders can get to where they need to go, right. They might have to go into the water different areas if these helicopters spot something in the water.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a statement shortly after news of the incident broke, saying, “Our prayers are with everyone involved, and we will continue to keep the public updated as more information becomes available.”

President Donald Trump also added that he was “fully briefed on this terrible incident.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the state’s Department of Emergency Management has raised it emergency operations to “Enhanced” status in support and other departments have deployed divers and police to assist with rescue missions.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin also said he’d been briefed by his Emergency Management team and the Virginia State Police. “Extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts,” he wrote in a post on X.

The FAA said Reagan National will be closed until 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30. Airport terminals remain open.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate the midair collision, with NTSB leading the investigation.

American Airlines is urging anyone who may have had loved ones aboard the plane to call 800-679-8215.