Netizens are baffled about how the Washington plane disaster happened after seeing video, with some believing something is wrong.
News sites published footage of a helicopter and American Airlines flight colliding near Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. Following the FAA’s response, the posts were widely debated.
The helicopter, flying opposite the jet, smashed into it as it approached the airport, causing a big explosion, according to a Daily Mail TikTok video.
For the camera, the accident appeared as a flash of light before smoke ascended and the jet and helicopter crashed into the Potomac River.
The Daily Mail’s TikTok post says, “The airline has confirmed that there was 60 passengers and four crews members onboard Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the Capital when the collision happened [sic].”
Next to the airport, first responders are scanning the Potomac River. Netizens reacted to Daily Mail clip in the comments.
“This astonished me as a pilot. There are controllers to avoid this, and anti-collision lights on aircraft reduce nighttime collisions “TikToker.
@dailymail An American Airlines regional passenger jet has crashed into a military helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport in Washington. Emergency services in the city are searching the Potomac River near the airport following the incident just before 9pm on Wednesday night. The airline has confirmed that there was 60 passengers and four crews members onboard Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the Capital when the collision happened. NBC Washington are reporting that at least four people have been pulled from the water by rescue crews as dive teams survey the crash site. This is a developing story. Follow DailyMail for live updates. #washingtondc #plane #planecrash #americanairlines #helicopter #news #breakingnews ♬ Scary Tense – Steve Ralph
Many social media users wondered how the collision happened. “This [sic] is so strange…” one user wrote, while another said, “It makes no sense on so many levels…”.A low-altitude collision at this level…? You mean air traffic control didn’t watch their path? Did pilots wear nah gear?
Other observers said, “Prayers. How is this possible? 😢” NBC Washington released the same footage on TikTok with a reporter describing the incident. A netizen commented, “Blackhawk military helicopters can’t notice other aircraft at night?? The plane has all landing lights on. This is insane!”
Are military helicopters allowed in that air? Space? This seems wrong. What are they distracting us from now?” considered a TikToker. Another said, “I don’t understand this is heart breaking.”
Another online viewer commented, “All that airspace and still they collide.” Some believe the incident was intentional. A netizen said, “That’s weird because it looks like the helicopter rammed the jet!”
Image from the plane crash tonight in Washington DC. Tragic. My heart breaks for everyone affected. pic.twitter.com/p14uxAa1Ox
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) January 30, 2025
The FAA noted, “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional plane impacted midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was American Airlines Flight 5342.”
The organization also stated that they and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will examine the occurrence and update the public.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall offered his condolences to the victims and their families after the plane crash during a briefing. Marshall said, “You know, when one person dies it’s a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die it’s an unbearable sorrow, it’s a heartbreak beyond major.”
Marshall and Senator Jerry Moran addressed the victims’ communities’ enormous loss, particularly Kansas’. “I know Senator Moran and I are here just to say we care, we wish that there was more we could do, but unfortunately there doesn’t seem much at this time,” he said.
The senator compared the anguish of people who lost loved ones to earlier state catastrophes.
“We’ve been through things like this before, through tornadoes and floods and things, but it’s really hard when you lose, you know, probably over 60 Kansans simultaneously,” he said.
He also honored the pilots, flight attendants, and military members killed in the crash and emphasized their service. “All those lives are so valuable, and it is such a tragedy that we lost them,” he said.
News outlets provide real-time information on the mid-air collision inquiry. CBS News reported shocking search results, including human remains washing up on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
CBS News senior transportation and national correspondent Kris Van Cleave said the accident broke the jet into pieces buried in five to eight feet of water. A dive crew found one of the aircraft’s two black boxes, a major breakthrough.
Officials have not yet identified the cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, which could provide light on the terrible accident.
Divers gained access to the aircraft’s cabin and removed bags and debris. Despite being upside down in the water, the aircraft appears intact.
As emergency efforts continue, authorities have confirmed the search-and-rescue mission’s size. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. told a Reagan National Airport press conference that 300 responders are searching for survivors and remains in the Potomac River.
“First responders located an aircraft in the ocean at 8:58 p.m. and began rescue operations. This incident has grown “Donnelly said the original notice was sent at 8:48 p.m.
Responders struggle to navigate muddy waters in dark, cold, and windy conditions.
CNN reports that Reagan National Airport is temporarily closed after the tragedy. Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said the airport will remain closed until 11 a.m. ET on Thursday. He said Washington Dulles International Airport operations are unaffected.
A witness described the crash, in addition to government, organization, and media reports.
Abadi Ismail, a Buzzard Point witness at James Creek Marina, said, “I have a great view of the Potomac, Anacostia, Reagan Airport, and military base. Cinematic view lets me watch everything from the accident.”
Ismail said he heard a loud, odd sound while watching TV. “A loud bang, bang. Something unusual, he said.
From his window, Ismail spotted smoke coming from the south side of the airport. First, he couldn’t understand what happened. Fire trucks, D.C. Park Police, Coast Guard, D.C. Police, Arlington Police, and others responded within minutes.
“Every D.C. resource headed to the crash site. The video was taken then. About 8:50 p.m., he said.
More facts about the crash scene issues emerged as emergency personnel worked through the night. The Potomac River was frozen owing to 39-degree temperatures, hindering rescue efforts, Ismail said. “That’s another hassle that the U.S. Coast Guard has to maneuver through all this ice in order to get to the crash scene,” he said.
He noted that the scenario had changed from a search-and-rescue mission to a recovery effort based on what he had seen and heard from D.C. Park sources.
“The crash site is two kilometers from me. I saw pals who work at D.C. Park. The site analysis suggests this is not a search and rescue mission. The mission is a recovery mission, unfortunately “stated.
An official confirmed at least 19 bodies recovered from the river’s three debris fields at 2:50 a.m. on January 30. No survivors were recovered.
President Donald Trump expressed concern over the crash on Truth Social.
“The plane approached the airport perfectly and routinely. The helicopter flew straight at the jet for a while. Trump wrote, “Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down or turn on a clear night with blazing plane lights?”
He added, “Why didn’t the control tower direct the helicopter instead of inquiring if it noticed the jet. It appears this bad situation was preventable. NOT GOOD!” Following up, he wrote, “What a dreadful night. Bless you!”
The collision’s cause is under investigation. Authorities will examine air traffic control communications, flight data, and weather to identify the crash cause.
FAA and NTSB ask anyone with footage or information to come forward. Officials will provide updates as they evaluate the incident and its effects.