American Airlines plane crash: All you need to know

A jet of PSA Airlines, an American Airlines’ subsidiary, collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter on late Wednesday evening. The flight had a total of 60 passengers and four crew members on board, while the helicopter had three military men on board. Reports indicate that 18 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., where both aircraft went down.

The flight was flying from Wichita, Kansas to the US capital.

“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts,” the American Airlines said in a statement.

“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215,” the airlines added.

Robert Isom, CEO, American Airlines, had informed earlier today in a video statement that the company had sent its GO team to the site with Isom also joining them shortly.

The US Army Black Hawk that collided was on a training flight at the time of the incident. Reports indicate that the military aircraft had an unstable flight, narrowly avoiding other aircraft before colliding with the PSA passenger jet.

“Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Investigation launched immediately by Army & DoD,” Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, said in a post on X.

The plane crash has raised concerns about airspace congestion at Reagan National Airport and the need for further development. One of the most challenging airports for pilots to approach, Reagan sits near the Pentagon and across the Potomac from Washington, D.C., where airspace is tightly restricted.