Small aircraft crashes into Potomac River, officials say
Share and Follow


WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — DC Fire and EMS (DCFD) said a small aircraft crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night.

In a joint statement from DCFD and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officials said that multiple calls came in for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport (DCA) just after 8:50 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that preliminarily, investigators believe that a regional jet with American Airlines that was approaching DCA’s runways collided with a helicopter.

The plane had departed from Kansas.

Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto said a helicopter crashed into a 60-person passenger plane in mid-air causing it to fall into the river.

Fireboats responded to the scene along with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), United States Park Police, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue System and other agencies from surrounding jurisdictions.

Officials said that DCFD, MPD and other agencies were coordinating search and rescue in the river.

Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said DCFD is making water rescues and is asking people to stay away from the area to allow first responders space to work.

All take-offs and landings were halted at DCA as emergency personnel responded to the incident.

As of 10 p.m., there was no information about casualties.

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation with help from the FAA.

This is a developing story.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Join UIS for a Meaningful MLK Day: Help Assemble Care Kits!

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Embracing the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King…

Unlocking the Mystery of ‘Trump Accounts’: 6 Key Insights You Need to Know

(NEXSTAR) – Parents can soon look forward to the introduction of “Trump…

Asian Markets Slip Amid Yen’s Strength Against U.S. Dollar

In Tokyo, Asian stock markets largely faced declines on Monday, with Japan’s…

Prepare for a Chilly Week: StormTeam 3 Predicts Clearing Skies and Cold Sunshine Ahead

SAVANNAH, Ga – Good morning! This is Stormteam 3 Meteorologist Alysa Carsley,…

Private Jet Carrying Eight Passengers Crashes During Takeoff in Maine

A private plane carrying eight passengers met a tragic fate as it…

Unplug to Destress: Discover Effective Alternatives to Screen Time for Relaxation

(The Conversation) – As more Americans express feeling overwhelmed by everyday life,…

New Galactic Map Sheds Light on the Enigma of Dark Matter

NEW YORK – A groundbreaking map offering a detailed view of galaxies…

Intern’s Return Blocked: Impact of Trump’s Travel Ban Strands U.S. Citizen Abroad

When Patrick Thaw reconnected with his University of Michigan friends for the…