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Updated 01:06 IST, January 31st 2025

Washington Plane Crash: 'Sadly There Are No Survivors', Says President Trump

Washington DC plane crash live update: A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington. The rescue teams are searching for the victims in the Potomac River. At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the river so far.

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Passenger Plane Collides with Blackhawk Helicopter Mid-Air near Reagan Airport, Rescue Operations Underway | LIVE
Passenger Plane Collides with Blackhawk Helicopter Mid-Air near Reagan Airport, Rescue Operations Underway | Image: Republic Media Network

Washington DC plane crash live update: An American Airlines flight with 64 people aboard, including 4 crew members, collided on Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington DC, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River. The rescue teams were still searching for other casualties but did not believe there were any survivors, which would make it the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years, stay tuned with republicwolrd.com for the latest updates.

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Washington DC plane crash live update: A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. Helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors, get live updates at republicworld.com


00:14 IST, January 31st 2025

Multiple victims were former LCPS students, says school district's superintendent

The school district’s superintendent, Aaron Spence in a letter to families and the staff stated that mental health professionals will be available at schools. “This unimaginable loss has deeply affected our community, and with great sorrow, we have learned that multiple victims were former LCPS students,” Spence said.


23:45 IST, January 30th 2025

Former Transportation Secretary criticises Trump's remarks

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Thursday called Trump’s criticisms as ‘despicable’. “As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying,” Buttigieg posted on X shortly after the president’s White House news conference.

He noted that when he led the agency, it “had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch".

In response, Trump sharply criticised Buttigieg and even resorted to profanity to denounce what he called Democratic-led efforts to promote diversity at federal agencies. Trump said Buttigieg at the transportation department, had “run it right into the ground with his diversity".



23:41 IST, January 30th 2025

Army Blackhawk appeared to be flying about 100 feet above max altitude allowed

The American Airlines jet appeared to be too high initially for where they were on their final approach to the runway, based on an analysis of published route maps and radar data. The published maximum FAA altitude for Route 4 at that point in the route — near Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Potomac River — is 200 feet above ground level.

A radar track posted online late Wednesday showed the helicopter at 300 feet above ground level at the time of the collision. However, the radar data posted online hasn’t been independently verified. In his remarks at the White House, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also said an “elevation issue” seemed to play a role in the crash.


22:51 IST, January 30th 2025

After deadly midair collision, Trump says he wouldn't 'hesitate to fly'

US President Donald Trump said that he wouldn't "hesitate to fly" following the deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport. "This is something, it's been many years since something like this has happened and the collision is just something that we don't expect ever to happen again," he added.

"We have the safest flying anywhere in the world, and we'll keep it that way," Trump also said.



22:32 IST, January 30th 2025

Trump raps former Presidents, says ‘crash was confluence of bad decisions that were made’

On the deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport, US President Donald Trump, rapped previous Presidents Biden and Obama, stating that the crash was a “confluence of bad decisions that were made and you have people that lost their lives, violently lost their lives.”

“All of this is going to be studied, but it just seems to me from a couple of words that I like to use, the words common sense, some really bad things happened and some things happened that shouldn't have happened because you had a helicopter going in [an] identical direction,” Trump said.

“You had a helicopter that was at the exact same height as somebody going in essentially the opposite direction. You had a plane that was following a track, which is a track that every other plane followed,” he stated.

All 67 people onboard an American Airlines passenger jet and military Black Hawk helicopter are presumed dead following the collision.


22:18 IST, January 30th 2025

First lady Melania Trump condoles Washington DC plane crash

After the deadly midair crash, First Lady Melania Trump offered her condolences to those who lost their lives in the horrific plane crash near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday. "My heart goes out to those impacted by last night’s terrible tragedy," the first lady said in a statement Thursday morning. 

"I pray for those who so sadly lost their lives, their families & loved ones, & the first responders who have worked tirelessly through the night. May they find strength and solace in this difficult time."

Notably, the tragedy struck late Wednesday when an American Airlines plane collided midair with an Army helicopter, destroying both aircraft in a fiery explosion. There were 64 people aboard the plane, including crew members, and three US soldiers on the Black Hawk helicopter.


22:12 IST, January 30th 2025

We'll find out how this disaster occurred, says Trump

US President Trump, while confirming that there are no survivors in the crash between an American Airlines flight and a Navy helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport, stated that the US military and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident. “We’ll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again,” he said.


22:08 IST, January 30th 2025

Trump announces appointment of acting commissioner to Federal Aviation Administration

US President Donald Trump said he’s immediately appointing an acting commissioner to the Federal Aviation Administration. The president said he was naming Chris Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, to the post. 

Notably, a full-time commissioner will require Senate confirmation.


22:05 IST, January 30th 2025

'Very sorry about that...': Trump on dead air crash

On the deadly midair crash in Washington, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport “has really shaken a lot of people, including people, from other nations who were on the flight.”

"For the family members back in Wichita, Kansas, here in Washington, DC and throughout the United States and in Russia. We have a Russian contingent of very talented people, unfortunately, who were on that plane. Very sorry about that, the loved ones were aboard the passenger jet, and we can only begin to imagine the agony that you're all feeling. Nothing worse," Trump said.


22:00 IST, January 30th 2025

We grieve for every precious soul, says Trump

US President Donald Trump began his statement regarding the American Airlines flight collision near Reagan National Airport with a moment of silence. President Trump said, "I'd like to request a moment of silence for the victims and their families. I speak to you this morning in an hour of anguish for our nation."

"This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation's capital and in our nation's history, and a tragedy of terrible proportions," Trump also said. "As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly," he added.


21:56 IST, January 30th 2025

Praying for the families of the victims', says former President Biden

After the deadly midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, former President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he and his wife Jill "are praying for the families of the victims who tragically lost their lives in the plane and helicopter crash near DCA.

"We are immensely grateful to the brave first responders and emergency personnel on the scene," he added. All 67 passengers, crew members and soldiers onboard both aircraft are presumed dead.


21:53 IST, January 30th 2025

Flight operations resume at Reagan National Airport following plane crash

The Reagan National Airport has now reopened following the deadly midair collision last night between an American Airlines passenger jet and the Army Black Hawk helicopter. The airport authority confirmed the reports on X, saying, “All airport roads and terminals are open. Some flights have been delayed or cancelled, so passengers are encouraged to check with their airline for specific flight information.” As per sources, an aircraft was seen landing at the airport around 11.02 am local time.


21:48 IST, January 30th 2025

Switching from rescue to recovery mission was ‘heart wrenching’, says Virginia Governor

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin stated on Thursday that first responders switching from rescue to recovery mission was “heart wrenching", a foreign media reported. “It’s been a tragically horrific night. The notice this morning that all teams had shifted from rescue to recovery is just heart wrenching. And it is heart wrenching for the families that I know were expecting a loved one to be home with them last night,” he added.

Youngkin added, “We had just the most extraordinary response last night with first responders coming from all over, the Coast Guard was on the scene immediately, and first responders from all over Northern Virginia and DC and Maryland along with federal resources. It was like something no one had seen before here at DCA. And this morning the same intensity is being delivered in order to recover every lost life and reunite them with their families.”

He further stated, "Something went massively wrong. We have got to find out what went wrong and make sure it never happens again."


21:28 IST, January 30th 2025

GOP committee chairman pays tribute to plane collision victims

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas opened the hearing on Thursday of Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to be Director of National Intelligence by holding a moment of silence for the victims of the Wednesday night collision. “Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends who lost loved ones last night, as well as the first responders who are still on the scene,” Cotton said.


21:18 IST, January 30th 2025

Virginia senator says families of plane collision victims are still being notified

At a confirmation hearing for one of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, Virginia Senator Mark Warner said he spent most of Wednesday night at the Reagan National Airport as first responders were searching for survivors. He started that families are still being notified about the status of their loved ones and that should be the focus right now.


21:16 IST, January 30th 2025

Stranded passengers wait for flights to resume amid crash recovery efforts

Inside the airport Thursday morning, the mood was sombre as stranded passengers milled around waiting for flights to resume. They kept staring out the terminal’s windows at the Potomac River, where recovery efforts were barely visible in the distance. Officials had announced earlier that they didn’t expect to find any survivors. “This is an inconvenience for us, but that ain’t nothing compared to what those families are going through,” said Chris Adams, whose flight back home to Texas was delayed several hours. “Life’s just too short,” he said.

Aster Andemicael had been at the airport since Wednesday evening with her elderly father, who was flying to Indiana to visit family. She said she spent much of the long night thinking about the victims and their families. “I’ve been crying since yesterday,” she said, her voice choking up.


20:19 IST, January 30th 2025

Don't know why military aircraft came into the path, says American Airlines CEO

American Airlines chief executive Robert Isom appears to blame the US Army Black Hawk pilot for being in the wrong place. Isom said, “At this time, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft.” 


20:17 IST, January 30th 2025

Not unusual with a military aircraft flying the river, says US Transport Secretary

On American Airline crash in Washington, US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said, “This was a clear night last night; the helicopter was in the standard pattern. If you live in the DC area, you will see helicopters up and down the river. The American Airline flight coming in to land was in a standard flight pattern as it was coming into DCA, so this was not unusual with a military aircraft flying the river and aircraft landing at DCA.”


19:35 IST, January 30th 2025

US Transport Secretary claims crash was 'preventable'

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy agreed with President Donald Trump that the crash was preventable, while American Airlines appeared to point the finger at the helicopter pilot. Sean Duffy stated, "It was, I would say, standard communication, so there was not a breakdown, if that's your question, in communication between the military helicopter and the American airline flight. There was communication between the aircraft and the tower."

“I would say that the helicopter was aware that the plane was in the area. We are going to wait for all the information to come in from this vantage point, but… what I’ve seen so far, do I think this was preventable? Absolutely,” Duffy said adding that both the military helicopter and the airliner were flying a 'standard flight pattern' like hundreds of flights before.


19:21 IST, January 30th 2025

US has safest airspace in the world, says US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

Duffy says US has “safest airspace in the world”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was asked if he could reassure Americans that the United States still has the safest airspace.

“Can I guarantee the American flying public that the United States has the most safe and secure airspace in the world? And the answer to that is, absolutely yes, we do,” he said. “We have early indicators of what happened here. And I will tell you, with complete confidence that we have the safest airspace in the world.”


19:18 IST, January 30th 2025

American Airlines has set up centres in Washington, Wichita, Kansas

American Airlines has set up centres in Washington, Wichita, Kansas, for people seeking information about family members. There’s also a hotline for people looking for family and friends: 1-800 679 8215.

The Washington DC fire chief said he’s confident that the remains of those killed in the crash will be recovered, but it may take some time.


18:34 IST, January 30th 2025

No survivors expected...

No survivors expected after plane and helicopter crash over Washington DC river, officials say. At least 28 bodies have been recovered.


18:17 IST, January 30th 2025

Rescue operations on in the icy cold river...

The entire airport has been shut down until at least 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) while rescue operations are in the icy cold river.


17:43 IST, January 30th 2025

Reagan National Airport is closed until at least 11 a.m. EST...

Reagan National Airport is closed until at least 11 a.m. EST Thursday, officials said. A law enforcement source described the atmosphere as a “really somber mood, even at the rescue scene.” At the airport, family members of likely victims have gathered in an airport lounge as officials work to provide updates. Another news conference from authorities is expected at 7:30 a.m. EST.


17:27 IST, January 30th 2025

Multi-agency rescue operation continues...

A multi-agency rescue operation continues through the night in challenging conditions with at least 30 bodies recovered so far.


17:01 IST, January 30th 2025

Rescue operation underway with at least 30 bodies recovered so far

The two aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, where a massive rescue operation is underway with at least 30 bodies recovered so far.


16:42 IST, January 30th 2025

19 bodies have been recovered so far

The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jetliner was carrying 60 passengers, including several figure skaters from the US and Russia, and four crew members. 19 bodies have been recovered so far, reported CBS News. No survivors have been found yet.


16:10 IST, January 30th 2025

Dive team recovers two “black boxes”

Two data recorders, or “black boxes”, have been recovered by a dive time from the American Airlines regional plane carrying 64 on board that crashed near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday.


15:14 IST, January 30th 2025

Former World champion skaters among victims

Russian former world champion ice skaters Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were reportedly on board an American Airlines plane that crashed into the Potomac River after a midair collision with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington.


14:49 IST, January 30th 2025

Next briefing at 7:30AM at DCA

Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy, says Mayor Muriel Bowser.

We will provide our next briefing at 7:30AM at DCA. It will be live on this account.


14:46 IST, January 30th 2025

Air traffic audio captures moments before the collision

Additional air traffic control audio shortly before the collision captures the helicopter pilot saying, “PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation.”

Less than 13 seconds later, the audio then captured audible gasps, including a loud “oooh” in the background apparently from the tower, at the moment of the crash.

The tower then alerted another pilot of what has taken place.

“I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach end of 3-3. We are going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future if you want to go back to the gate. Highly suggest you guys coordinate with the company. Let me know what you want to do,” the controller says, referencing runway 33.

The audio also revealed that another pilot had seen the incident and confirmed with an air traffic controller.


14:04 IST, January 30th 2025

Dozens of firefighters conducted dive operations in the Potomac River

The Fire and Emergency Services chief John Donnelly described the operation as “highly complex.” He stated, “The conditions out there are extremely rough for the first responders. It’s cold. They’re dealing with relatively windy conditions – the wind is hard out on the river.”

President Donald Trump called it a “terrible accident” and praised emergency responders.


13:33 IST, January 30th 2025

Flights are being diverted to Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport

Reagan National Airport has been closed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and flights are being diverted to Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport. There were 858 flights scheduled to take off and land at Reagan National Airport on Wednesday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, and 869 flights were scheduled to take off and land Thursday.


13:27 IST, January 30th 2025

At least 19 aircraft diverted to Dulles International Airport

Approximately 19 aircraft were in the air at the time of the crash near Reagan National Airport and were diverted to Dulles International Airport, about 20 miles west.

There were 858 flights scheduled to take off and land at Reagan National Airport on Wednesday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, and 869 flights were scheduled to take off and land Thursday.


13:08 IST, January 30th 2025

Officials declined to comment on the condition of aircraft

D.C. Mayor Muriel declined to comment on the condition of aircraft, which remains submerged in the Potomac River.


12:43 IST, January 30th 2025

"The water we are operating in is about 80 feet deep..." says Chief

Washington DC plane crash live update: On rescue operations, John Donnelly, Chief DC Fire and EMS Chief says, "The challenges are excess. The water we are operating in is about 80 feet deep. There is wind and pieces of ice out there. It's dangerous and hard to work in... The water is dark and murky and it is a very tough condition for divers to dive in..."


12:35 IST, January 30th 2025

‘We don’t know yet,’ fire chief says of possible survivors

“I can’t say anything about the rescue operation right now,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said as reporters continued to press for updates on the passengers.

She also declined to comment on the condition of aircraft, which remains submerged in the Potomac River.

Asked if there are any survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly responded: “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”


12:10 IST, January 30th 2025

Reagan National Airport will reopen at 11 a.m. (EST) Thursday

The Federal Aviation Administration made the announcement after previously saying it would be closed until 5 a.m. Friday.


11:51 IST, January 30th 2025

300 responders working on search-and-rescue operation, says DC Fire Chief

There are currently about 300 responders working in a search-and-rescue operation at the Potomac River, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. said at a press conference at Reagan National Airport.
 


11:26 IST, January 30th 2025

Trump says collision ‘looks like it should have been prevented’

In a post on Truth Social, Trump questioned the tactics of the military helicopter and the air traffic controllers — both agencies that report to him as the president.

Writing that the “airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach for an extended period of time” on a “CLEAR NIGHT,” Trump questioned, “why didn’t the helicopter go up or down or turn,” and “why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.”


11:24 IST, January 30th 2025

NTSB team is heading to the crash site

A team from the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates aviation crashes, would arrive at the crash site overnight, the agency said.


11:05 IST, January 30th 2025

American Airlines CEO heading to DC

American Airlines CEO says he's heading to DC

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom says he will be heading to Washington, DC, to assess the midair plane collision and support employees.

“Members of our Go Team will be on their way to Washington DC and I’ll be heading there shortly as well,” Isom said in a video message.

The airline has also set up a helpline for friends and family at 1-800-679-8215.


10:51 IST, January 30th 2025

American Airlines issues tollfree helpline number

American Airlines has issued a toll-free number: 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers.


10:51 IST, January 30th 2025

Washington plane crash horror leaves 18 dead

Washington plane crash horror leaves 18 dead. American Airlines issues tollfree helpline number.


10:34 IST, January 30th 2025

Helicopter was on training flight

The U.S. Army said the helicopter that collided with a passenger jet was a UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. A crew of three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. The helicopter was on a training flight.


10:21 IST, January 30th 2025

At least 2 bodies found after American Airlines plane with 64 on board crashes near Reagan National Airport DC

At least two bodies have been pulled from the water, and authorities are still searching for additional victims. The collision involved a regional jet operated by PSA Airlines, flying under American Airlines, and a Sikorsky H-60 Army Blackhawk helicopter, both of which crashed near the airport. Rescue teams are working overnight to locate as many as 60 people potentially involved in the incident.


10:13 IST, January 30th 2025

No response from helicopter after air traffic control warning

Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asks the helicopter if it has the arriving plane in sight: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?”

The controller makes another radio call to PAT25 moments later: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.”

The two aircraft collide seconds later.

The audio from flight tracking sites doesn’t record any response from the helicopter, if any, to the warnings from air traffic control.

The plane’s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet (730 meters) short of the runway, roughly over the middle of the river.


10:08 IST, January 30th 2025

Trump on aircraft accident: ‘May God Bless their souls’

President Donald Trump says he’s been briefed on the ‘terrible accident’ at Reagan National Airport. 


10:00 IST, January 30th 2025

Details on the passenger jet

American Airlines flight 5342 was inbound to Reagan National at an altitude of about 400 feet and a speed of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, according to data from its radio transponder.

The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet was manufactured in 2004 and can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers.


10:00 IST, January 30th 2025

Trump is briefed on the crash

Trump is briefed on the crash
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump has been briefed on the crash.


09:59 IST, January 30th 2025

Helicopter that collided with passenger jet was flown by Army

There was no immediate word on casualties or the cause of the collision, but all takeoffs and landings from the airport near Washington were halted as helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors. Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac River from a point near the airport along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport.

Published 10:02 IST, January 30th 2025