DC plane crash updates: 55 victims recovered and positively identified

All 67 people on board the plane and the helicopter were killed.

Last Updated: February 2, 2025, 4:59 PM EST

An American Airlines regional jet went down in the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after colliding with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night, with no survivors.

Sixty-four people were on board the plane, which departed from Wichita, Kansas. Three soldiers were on the helicopter.

The collision happened around 9 p.m. when the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was on approach to the airport.

Map of the area around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the layout of Runway 33, which the regional American Airlines jet was approaching at the time of the collision with the Army Black Hawk helicopter, according to officials.
ABC News, Google Earth, Flightradar24, ADS-B Exchange
Jan 29, 2025, 11:37 PM EST

Wichita Airport activates support team

The Wichita National Airport has activated an incident and support team to help within the terminal to provide families with information, according to Jesse Romo, Wichita's director of airports.

Romo called the crash "devastating" during a press briefing tonight and said he believes there are family members of those aboard the American Airlines flight already at the airport seeking any updates.

Direct flights from Wichita National Airport to DCA launched a year ago, Romo said.

Jan 29, 2025, 11:25 PM EST

FBI sending response team to crash

The FBI Washington Field Office said in a statement that it's sending its National Capital Response Squad "in support of our law enforcement and public safety partners."

Rescue teams search the Potomac River after a commercial airplane reportedly collided with a military helicopter on approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, Jan. 29 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shuttersto

-ABC News' Jack Date

Jan 29, 2025, 11:18 PM EST

'Extensive resources' involved in search and rescue: Gov. Youngkin

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said "extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts" following the crash.

"First responders from across Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland mobilized quickly," he said on X. "I ask everyone to pray for the passengers, crews, their families, and brave first responders.

Jan 29, 2025, 11:04 PM EST

DCA airport closed until Friday morning

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m., per the FAA.

ABC News' Jay O'Brien reports from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after the FAA said it would be closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m.
2:14
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport closed until Friday morningABC News' Jay O'Brien reports from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after the FAA said it would be closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m.
ABCNews.com

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