Quantcast

Collision ends US aviation's streak without fatal crashes

American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
Collision ends US aviation's streak without fatal crashes
Policy
Webp ri
Robert Isom, CEO | American Airlines

Last night, a tragic midair collision occurred involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter over Washington D.C., leading to both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. The incident marks the end of a 16-year period without fatal crashes in US commercial aviation, with the last being Colgan Air Flight 3407 in 2009.

During a press conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), officials announced that rescue efforts have shifted to recovery mode as no survivors are expected. John Donnelly, Chief of the District of Columbia Fire Department, stated, "We don't believe there are any survivors from this accident." So far, approximately 30 bodies have been recovered from the river's icy waters.

The Bombardier CRJ700 had 64 people onboard and was en route from Wichita. The helicopter carried three soldiers. The crash involved challenging conditions due to darkness and water currents. Among those lost were individuals associated with US Figure Skating, including both American and Russian nationals.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that both aircraft were following standard flight patterns when the collision occurred as the CRJ700 approached DCA. He noted there was no communication breakdown between air traffic control (ATC) and either aircraft. ATC audio revealed controllers warned the Black Hawk about the incoming jet; however, moments later, they responded to the collision by diverting nearby flights.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom assured that there were no issues with crew experience on Flight 5342. The Captain had six years at PSA Airlines, while the First Officer had two years of experience.

The US Army confirmed that their Black Hawk was on a training mission at the time of impact. A defense official emphasized that "training" does not imply inexperience as pilots were equipped with night goggles and deemed "fairly experienced."

Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority president Jack Potter announced DCA will reopen today at 11:00 AM despite ongoing recovery operations outside airport boundaries. Potter reassured safety measures stating, "It's safe. We've worked with all federal agencies and it's been determined we can open the airport safely."

DCA has faced congestion issues recently, prompting debate among senators about increasing takeoff and landing slots. Senator Tim Kaine expressed concerns but urged against speculation during this time.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Alaska Air Group Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc., Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., and Horizon Air Industries Inc., has announced its quarterly conference call to discuss the financial results for the second quarter of 2025.

Jul 9, 2025

Emirates Airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to explore the integration of Crypto.com Pay as a payment option for its customers.

Jul 9, 2025

The National Right to Work Foundation has filed an amicus brief with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in the case of Abbotsford Education Association v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission.

Jul 9, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced that a union employee at its Schiller Park, Illinois facility has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking a vote to remove Unite Here Local 1 as the union representative for the...

Jul 8, 2025

The Lincoln Airport is set to embark on one of its most significant projects with the reconstruction of its runway.

Jul 8, 2025

Air New Zealand has launched Dream Seats, a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting New Zealanders in pursuing their dreams.

Jul 8, 2025