American Airlines Flight 5342 crashes into Black Hawk Helicopter near Washington, D.C. at least 18 dead | WATCH

World News: In a shocking incident, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan Washington National Airport. This alarming event has raised concerns about aviation safety in the area.

Airport Operations Suspended

Following the collision, all aircraft take-offs and landings at Reagan Washington National Airport were suspended. The airport operator confirmed the suspension in a post on social media platform X, indicating the seriousness of the situation and the need for thorough investigations.

This is horrible.

An American Airlines flight crashed into a private helicopter coming into Reagan. All flights halted with search crews in the Potomac.

Pray for survivors.pic.twitter.com/14qpVBp1Fh

— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) January 30, 2025

Details of the Incident

The American Airlines flight 5342 was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the collision. The Blackhawk helicopter, identified as a Sikorsky H-60, had three U.S. Army soldiers onboard. Following the incident, the flight experienced a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, as indicated by data from its radio transponder.

In response to the crash, Ronald Reagan Airport suspended all aircraft take-offs and landings. This decision was communicated through a post on social media platform X by the airport operator.

Search and Rescue Operations Underway

A search and rescue operation is currently in progress near the Potomac River, involving multiple agencies including the D.C. Fire Department, police officials, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Reports indicate that police have begun recovering bodies from the river, although specific details regarding fatalities are still emerging.

Government Response

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement expressing his condolences regarding the tragic accident. He stated, "I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.

"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Pentagon is "actively monitoring" developments related to this incident, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned he was closely observing the situation from FAA headquarters.

Ongoing Investigations

Senator Ted Cruz confirmed that there were fatalities resulting from the crash but noted that it is unclear how many individuals were onboard at this time. He remarked on social media: "While we don’t yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities." The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently gathering additional information to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.

Immediate Response and Investigation

Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene to assess any potential injuries and manage the aftermath of the crash. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, aiming to determine how such a collision could occur during landing operations.