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President of the United States (POTUS) Donald Trump recently took to Truth Social to give his perspective on the airplane crash that happened near Reagan Washington Airport on January 29, 2025, around 9 p.m. local time. He also shared another message emphasizing the severity of the situation.
According to a statement shared on X by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was approaching Runway 33 at the airport when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter in mid-air.
“PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines,” adds the FAA. The organization also clarified that the plane was departing from Wichita, Kansas.
While the FAA is assisting with the investigation into the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the inquiry. The aviation administration also confirmed that they will be providing the public with continuous updates as more information becomes available.
In his first message, Trump stated that the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was on a routine and precise approach to the airport.
He then noted how the helicopter that the plane collided with had been headed straight at the aircraft for a long period.
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn't the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane [sic],” penned Trump.
At the end of his statement, he emphasized the gravity of the situation, expressing his belief that it could have been avoided, before exclaiming, “NOT GOOD!!!” In his second Truth Social post, the POTUS reiterated the devastation of the incident. Addressing the public directly, he stated, “God bless you all!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also addressed the incident. Speaking to TV presenter Sean Hannity, she acknowledged the severity of the crash and emphasized the administration's focus on those impacted.
“I can confirm that President Trump has been made aware of the situation, and tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C.,” Leavitt stated.
She continued, “That's all I can confirm at this point in time, and I can just say that the thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved, and we ask the public in this area to please stand by for guidance from law enforcement, and allow them to do their jobs as they attempt to save lives right now.”
Like Leavitt and Trump, Vice President (VP) JD Vance spoke out about the tragedy as well, sharing a brief but solemn message on X. “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best,” wrote the VP.
As the investigation into the devastating mid-air collision continues, news outlets remain on the ground, providing live updates as more details emerge. According to CBS News, search efforts are ongoing in the Potomac River, where the wreckage of both aircraft—an American Eagle Flight 5342 regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter—remains scattered.
Officials confirmed that the plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the helicopter had a three-member military crew on board.
Authorities have recovered at least 30 bodies as of 6:45 a.m. ET, according to a law enforcement source cited by CBS News. The grim search is made even more difficult by freezing water temperatures and treacherous conditions on the Potomac.
BBC reported that about 300 emergency responders are working tirelessly under extreme circumstances, facing icy waters, strong winds, and low visibility.
Rescue experts warn that the harsh environment drastically reduces the chances of survival, with the cold shock response setting in within seconds of exposure. In addition to human remains, divers have retrieved luggage and debris from the crash site.
The wreckage of the plane lies in 5 to 8 feet of water, and a dive team has located one of the aircraft's black boxes—though it remains unclear whether it is the cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder. Meanwhile, the helicopter is reported to be upside down but largely intact.
Concerning the analysis of the aircraft's flight paths, data from tracking websites shows that the regional jet was on a steady descent into Reagan National Airport from the south, while the Black Hawk was also descending along the Potomac River from the north.
While aircraft are equipped with safety systems designed to detect and prevent mid-air collisions, retired American Airlines pilot Doug Rice noted that the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is ineffective below 700 feet—which may have contributed to the crash.
In a different update concerning the tragedy, a news outlet shared the story of a man whose wife was aboard the plane when the crash happened.
Hamaad Raza was in the middle of texting his wife as he waited for her arrival at Reagan Washington National Airport when, suddenly, his messages stopped delivering.
A sense of unease crept in Raza, which soon turned to dread when news broke that a flight from Wichita, Kansas, his wife's flight, had collided mid-air with a helicopter.
Raza shared the last message his wife sent him before his messages went undelivered. It read, “We’re landing in 20.” He attempted to respond, but his texts failed to go through and that's when a sinking feeling set in. Now he is deeply worried about his 26-year-old wife, whom he has been married to for just over two years.
“I'm just praying that somebody's pulling her out of the river right now as we speak. That's all I can pray for. I'm just praying to God,” said Raza. He shared that his wife had traveled to Wichita for work and always had a fear of flying, making the tragic incident even more heartbreaking. Raza is a senior associate at EY-Parthenon, a business consulting and services firm.
He attended the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and graduated from John Burroughs School. The journalist who spoke to Raza, Larry Miller, a news anchor for WUSA 9-TV, has also shared that more family members are going to Reagan Washington National Airport to get information about their loved ones.
Speaking about the crash, District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly shared, “It's a highly complex operation, the conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders. It's cold. They're dealing with relatively windy conditions.”
As of the time of publication, rescuers have not recovered any survivors from the three debris fields, which are scattered across the freezing Potomac River.
Apart from the posts he shared on Truth Social, reports stipulate that Trump referred to the accident as “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented” via a different social media post. However, it was not immediately clear whether this post was based on official briefings or other sources of information.
He added, “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.”
Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on social media that the Pentagon was closely monitoring the situation and was ready to provide assistance if necessary.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall also weighed in, expressing his sorrow in a statement and calling the incident “nothing short of a nightmare.” He offered his prayers for the victims and their families, hoping they would find strength during such a devastating time.
Alyia Gaskins, the Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, shared her condolences on social media. She offered prayers for those affected and praised the efforts of local fire, police, and emergency teams assisting in the regional response. Alexandria is located just south of Reagan Washington National Airport.
The last major US commercial air disaster took place in February 2009, when a Continental Airlines flight departing from Newark, New Jersey tragically crashed into a house near Buffalo, New York, while attempting to land.
The plane, a Bombardier Q400, claimed the lives of 49 people. Now, as the current crisis unfolds, people are holding onto hope for any survivors, while also sending their prayers to the families of those confirmed to have lost their lives.
