67 feared dead in Washington DC mid-air collision

New Delhi, Jan 30: A mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. military Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport has left no known survivors, officials confirmed.

Media reports President Donald Trump, in a news briefing, says the U.S. is grieving after a plane and a military helicopter crashed in Washington, D.C., last night. He mentions that there were Russians on board but does not talk about other nationalities.

"We can only try to understand the pain you are feeling," he says.

He adds, "Our hearts are broken with yours," and promises that "we are here to comfort you."The president also says that nothing is stronger than the friendship and loyalty that connect Americans with other nations.

Rescue teams have so far recovered 30 bodies from the icy waters of the Potomac River, as emergency operations continue. The crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter with three U.S. military personnel on board. In total, 67 people were believed to be involved in the tragedy.

The passenger aircraft had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was on its final approach to Washington D.C. when it collided mid-air with the military helicopter, which had taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, for a routine training mission.

Witnesses reported a fiery explosion in the night sky, followed by debris plummeting into the river below. The commercial aircraft reportedly broke apart upon impact, sinking rapidly, while the helicopter was seen floating upside down before submerging.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that conditions were normal before the incident, with a “clear night” and “experienced pilots” on board both aircraft. However, he acknowledged that investigators are focusing on why the helicopter was in that specific location at the time of the crash. Former President Donald Trump also questioned why the Black Hawk had not been able to “go up” to avoid the collision as reported by the media.

Emergency responders arrived swiftly, deploying more than 300 personnel in rubber boats and using specialised equipment to navigate the difficult conditions. Washington D.C. Fire and Emergency Services Chief John Donnelly described the situation as “extremely rough,” citing strong winds, floating debris, and near-freezing waters that complicated search efforts.

“The challenge is access. There is wind, ice on the water—it is dangerous and hard to work in,” Donnelly told reporters. Authorities fear that many victims remain trapped in the submerged wreckage.

Among the passengers aboard Flight 5342 were U.S. and Russian figure skaters, coaches, and family members returning from a training camp in Kansas. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several athletes were on board, while Russian officials identified former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov among the deceased.

Pentagon official Pete Hegseth stated that the Black Hawk crew consisted of experienced pilots conducting a mandatory night evaluation using night vision goggles. The Department of Défense has launched an internal review to determine the circumstances surrounding the helicopter’s flight path and potential miscommunication with air traffic control.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened investigations into the crash. Key areas of inquiry include possible mechanical failures, air traffic control miscommunications, and adherence to flight protocols.

Officials say recovery operations will continue, as families of the victims await answers to one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent U.S. history.