American Airlines Flight Carrying 60 Passengers and 4 Crew Split in Half After Helicopter Collision: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Plane crash at Reagan Washington National Airport.Photo:TING SHEN/AFP via Getty

TING SHEN/AFP via Getty

The American Airlines flight that crashed with 60 passengers and four crew members onboard reportedly split in half after its collision on Wednesday.According toNBC4, citing two first responder sources, the plane landed in about seven feet of water and split in two.According to the sources, the Army Black Hawk helicopter it collided with is upside down in the river. Rescuers cannot enter the helicopter because of its precarious position, one of the sources said.The Metropolitan Police Departmentsaid in a statementthat multiple agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River and “there is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.“Ronald Reagan Washington Airport crash.Chip Somodevilla/GettyAccording toNBC4 Washington, at least four people were pulled from the water and were rushed to hospitals. However,CNNis reporting that no survivors have been pulled from the water yet, citing a law enforcement source.The American Airlines regional passenger plane collided with the helicopter over the Potomac River as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.The passenger plane had 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft, American Airlines confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE.“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts,” their statement said.Crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.Andrew Harnik/Getty"If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visitnews.aa.comfor additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly,” their statement continued.CNNreported that the Army Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers on board. Joint Task Force-National Capital Region media chief Heather Chairez told the outlet that the plane was on training flight at the time of the incident.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said they are deploying “every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders. Praying for the victims and first responders,” herstatementcontinued.

The American Airlines flight that crashed with 60 passengers and four crew members onboard reportedly split in half after its collision on Wednesday.

According toNBC4, citing two first responder sources, the plane landed in about seven feet of water and split in two.

According to the sources, the Army Black Hawk helicopter it collided with is upside down in the river. Rescuers cannot enter the helicopter because of its precarious position, one of the sources said.

The Metropolitan Police Departmentsaid in a statementthat multiple agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River and “there is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.”

Ronald Reagan Washington Airport crash.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

According toNBC4 Washington, at least four people were pulled from the water and were rushed to hospitals. However,CNNis reporting that no survivors have been pulled from the water yet, citing a law enforcement source.

The American Airlines regional passenger plane collided with the helicopter over the Potomac River as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The passenger plane had 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft, American Airlines confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

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

Crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.Andrew Harnik/Getty

Andrew Harnik/Getty

“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visitnews.aa.comfor additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly,” their statement continued.

CNNreported that the Army Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers on board. Joint Task Force-National Capital Region media chief Heather Chairez told the outlet that the plane was on training flight at the time of the incident.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said they are deploying “every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders. Praying for the victims and first responders,” herstatementcontinued.

source: people.com