{"id":2396791,"date":"2025-01-30T00:30:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T05:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/all-flights-halted-at-ronald-reagan-national-airport-after-passenger-jet-helicopter-are-downed\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T00:33:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T05:33:42","slug":"all-flights-halted-at-ronald-reagan-national-airport-after-passenger-jet-helicopter-are-downed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/all-flights-halted-at-ronald-reagan-national-airport-after-passenger-jet-helicopter-are-downed\/","title":{"rendered":"All Flights Halted at Ronald Reagan National Airport After Passenger Jet, Helicopter Are Downed"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fall-flights-halted-at-ronald-reagan-national-airport-after-passenger-jet-helicopter-are-downed%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2396791&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>On Wednesday, a tragic incident occurred when a regional jet, carrying\u200d 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with \u2063an Army helicopter \u2062while landing at\u200b Ronald \u200dReagan \u2062National Airport near Washington, \u200dD.C. The crash, \u200dwhich resulted in multiple fatalities, prompted a critically\u2062 important search-and-rescue operation in the adjacent Potomac River. Initially,the cause of the collision was\u2063 unclear. \u2062The Federal Aviation Administration reported that\u2062 the accident transpired around 9 p.m. EST. <\/p>\n<p>The\u2063 American Airlines \u200dFlight\u200b 5342 \u200dwas descending towards the airport when \u2062it experienced a \u2062rapid loss of altitude over the river. It was cleared by <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">air \u2062traffic controllers<\/a> to land on a designated runway shortly before the collision. Investigators are examining the events leading to the crash, which occurred in tightly\u200b controlled airspace near major national landmarks.\u200d <\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Army confirmed that \u200bthe helicopter involved was\u2064 a UH-60 Blackhawk, \u2063operated by\u200d a crew of three soldiers on a\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-does-this-image-show-a-pakistani-jet-shot-down-by-panjshir-resistance-fighters\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show A Pakistani Jet Shot Down By Panjshir Resistance Fighters?\">training flight<\/a>.In response to the\u200c accident, military and transportation officials, including secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Transportation sean Duffy, announced\u200b investigations will be conducted.\u2064 President Trump\u2064 expressed condolences for\u2064 the victims. The airport temporarily halted\u200b all \u200boperations following the incident. <\/p>\n<p>The crash has drawn comparisons to past aviation accidents in the area,\u200c including \u2064an Air Florida flight\u2062 that crashed in the Potomac \u2062in 1982.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members 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. There were multiple fatalities, according to a person familiar with the matter, but the precise number of victims was unclear as rescue crews hunted for any survivors.<\/p>\n<p>There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, but all takeoffs and landings from the airport were halted while helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene. Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac River from a point along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport, and first responders set up light towers from the shore to illuminate the area near the collision site. At least a half-dozen boats are scanning the water using search lights..<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump said he had been &ldquo;fully briefed on this terrible accident&rdquo; and, referring to the passengers, added, &ldquo;May God Bless their souls.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair crash occurred around 9 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military helicopter on a training flight while on approach to an airport runway. It occurred in some of the most tightly controlled and monitored airspace in the world, just over three miles south of the White House and the Capitol.<\/p>\n<p>Investigators will try to piece together the aircrafts&rsquo; final moments before their collision, including contact with air traffic controllers as well as a loss of altitude by the passenger jet.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>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, manufactured in 2004, can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers.<\/p>\n<p>A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National and the pilots said they were able. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway.<\/p>\n<p>Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight. The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later: &ldquo;PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.&rdquo; Seconds after that, the two aircraft collided.<\/p>\n<p>The plane&rsquo;s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway, roughly over the middle of the river.<\/p>\n<p>Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center showed two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to join in a fireball.<\/p>\n<p>The collision occurred on a warm winter evening in Washington, with temperatures registering as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit, following a stretch days earlier of intense cold and ice. On Wednesday, the Potomac River was 36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The National Weather Service reported that wind gusts of up to 25 mph were possible in the area throughout the evening.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Army described the helicopter as 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. Military aircraft frequently conduct training flights in and around the congested and heavily-restricted airspace around the nation&rsquo;s capital for familiarization and continuity of government planning.<\/p>\n<p>The crash is serving as a major test for two of the Trump administration&rsquo;s newest agency leaders. Pete Hegseth, sworn in days ago as defense secretary, posted on social media that an investigation has been &ldquo;launched immediately&rdquo; by the Army and the Defense Department. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, just sworn in earlier this week, said in a social media post that he was &ldquo;at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The airport was to remain closed until 5 a.m. Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Located along the Potomac River, just southwest of the city. Reagan National is a popular choice because it&rsquo;s much closer than the larger Dulles International Airport, which is deeper in Virginia.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on the runway being used, flights into Reagan can offer passengers spectacular views of landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. It&rsquo;s a postcard-worthy welcome for tourists visiting the city.<\/p>\n<p>The incident recalled the crash of an Air Florida flight that plummeted into the Potomac on January 13, 1982, that killed 78 people. That crash was attributed to bad weather.<\/p>\n<p>The last <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/8-us-marines-remain-in-a-hospital-after-a-fiery-aircraft-crash-killed-3-during-drills-in-australia\/\" title=\"8 US Marines are still hospitalized following a fatal aircraft crash that claimed 3 lives during drills in Australia.\">fatal crash involving<\/a> a U.S. commercial airline occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York. Everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane was killed, including 45 passengers, 2 pilots and 2 flight attendants. Another person on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 50. An investigation determined that the captain accidentally caused the plane to stall as it approached the airport in Buffalo.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members crashed into an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington on Wednesday, leading to a significant search-and-rescue effort in the Potomac River. There were multiple fatalities, though the exact number of victims remains uncertain as rescue teams searched for survivors. The cause of the collision is still unknown, and all airport operations were suspended while law enforcement helicopters surveyed the area. Inflatable rescue boats were deployed from a location along the George Washington Parkway, north of the airport, and first responders set up lighting to aid visibility near the crash site. President Donald Trump stated he was &#8220;fully briefed on this terrible accident&#8221; and offered condolences for those involved. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the incident occurred around 9 p.m. EST when a regional jet from Wichita collided with a military helicopter during its approach to land at Reagan National Airport, situated in one of the most monitored airspaces globally, just over three miles from key government buildings like the White House and Capitol. Investigators will analyze communications between air traffic controllers and both aircraft leading up to their collision.<\/p>\n<p>American Airlines Flight 5342 was approaching Reagan National at about 400 feet altitude and traveling approximately 140 mph when it experienced a rapid descent over the Potomac River based on transponder data. The Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet can accommodate up to 70 passengers; moments before landing, air traffic controllers cleared it for Runway 33 after confirming its ability to land there. Less than half a minute before impact, an air traffic controller asked if the helicopter had visual contact with Flight 5342; shortly after that communication, both aircraft collided.<\/p>\n<p>Footage from an observation camera showed two sets of lights merging into what appeared to be an explosion in midair during warm winter weather conditions in Washington D.C., where temperatures reached around 60 degrees Fahrenheit prior to colder days earlier that week. The Potomac River&#8217;s temperature was recorded at about 36 degrees Fahrenheit by NOAA reports indicating wind gusts could reach up to 25 mph throughout Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S Army identified their helicopter as a UH-60 Blackhawk stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia with three soldiers onboard conducting training exercises\u2014common practice within restricted airspace surrounding D.C.\u2014for operational readiness purposes.<\/p>\n<p>This incident poses significant challenges for new leaders within Trump&#8217;s administration: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced immediate investigations by both Army officials &amp; Defense Department personnel via social media while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated he was monitoring developments closely from FAA headquarters; operations at Reagan National are expected remain halted until Friday morning.<\/p>\n<p>Reagan National Airport is favored due its proximity compared larger Dulles International further into Virginia offering stunning views upon approach showcasing iconic landmarks such as Washington Monument &amp; Lincoln Memorial\u2014a picturesque welcome for visitors arriving citywide.<\/p>\n<p>The event echoes memories of Air Florida\u2019s tragic plunge into Potomac back January \u201982 resulting in loss lives attributed poor weather conditions whereas last fatal commercial airline crash occurred Buffalo NY \u201909 killing all aboard including ground casualties totaling fifty fatalities overall determined caused pilot error leading stall during final approach landing sequence according investigation findings reviewed by Western Journal prior publication adjustments ensuring adherence editorial standards<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2396792,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/b3a7ffd84f5845028dc760e0bae6bfc6-scaled-e1738207261933.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[49467,36784,44698,11127,49466],"class_list":["post-2396791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-air-traffic-disruption","tag-aviation-news","tag-emergency-landing","tag-flights","tag-ronald-reagan-national-airport"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/b3a7ffd84f5845028dc760e0bae6bfc6-scaled-e1738207261933.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2396791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2396791"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2396791\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2396795,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2396791\/revisions\/2396795"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2396792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2396791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2396791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2396791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}