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A Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft, operating under American Airlines' regional brand American Eagle, collided with a US military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday. The helicopter was conducting a training flight and reportedly did not broadcast its location data.
Following the incident, all outbound flights were grounded, and inbound aircraft were redirected to nearby airports. American Airlines confirmed that Flight 5342 was operated by PSA Airlines, its wholly-owned regional subsidiary. "We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available," the airline stated.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed on social media that flight operations ceased due to the crash but noted that the terminal remained open. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter as a Sikorsky H-60 and announced that they would investigate alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). "The NTSB will lead the investigation," said the FAA.
