Midair Collision Between U.S. Army Black Hawk and American Airlines Jet Over Washington Sparks Investigation

A catastrophic aviation accident occurred late Wednesday night when a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided midair over Washington, D.C. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, resulting in a total loss of life. Authorities are urgently investigating the circumstances leading to the disaster, raising concerns over air traffic safety and coordination between military and civilian aviation agencies.

Sequence of Events

American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by American Eagle, was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The passenger jet carried 60 travelers and four crew members, while the helicopter had three U.S. Army personnel on board. Tragically, there were no survivors.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Black Hawk was engaged in a Continuity of Government (COG) mission, a classified operation designed to maintain government functionality during emergencies. The military exercise’s presence in a civilian airspace corridor has intensified concerns regarding flight safety and airspace management.