A significant aviation incident occurred near Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, leading to the suspension of flights in and out of the airport. An American Airlines plane, operated by PSA Airlines as a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, collided midair with a U.S. Army Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching the runway around 9 p.m. local time. The plane was carrying approximately 60 people and had arrived from Wichita, Kansas.

The collision resulted in a fireball visible from nearby observation cameras, including one at the Kennedy Center. Emergency services, including fire, EMS, and police, responded to the scene near the Potomac River. Multiple agencies, such as the U.S. Park Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, and U.S. military helicopters, were also present.

Military Helicopter Crash Halts Flights, Sparks Massive Emergency Response

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the inquiry. American Airlines confirmed awareness of the incident on social media and pledged to provide updates as more information becomes available.

The U.S. Army confirmed that the helicopter involved was one of its aircraft. The White House was notified of the situation, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that President Donald Trump had been briefed.

Virginia Representative Don Beyer described the incident as “very worrying” and urged the public to allow first responders to focus on their efforts. The cause of the collision and the status of potential victims remain under investigation. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.

Here’s a brief overview of the top 10 deadliest plane crashes in U.S. history:

1. American Airlines Flight 191 (1979)
2. Near Chicago O’Hare Airport, a DC-10 lost an engine during takeoff, crashing and killing all 271 on board and 2 on the ground. It remains the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history.
3. TWA Flight 800 (1996) – A Boeing 747 exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Long Island, New York, killing all 230 passengers and crew. The cause was determined to be a fuel tank explosion.
4. American Airlines Flight 587 (2001) – An Airbus A300 crashed into a residential area in Queens, New York, shortly after takeoff from JFK Airport, killing all 260 on board and 5 on the ground. Pilot error and wake turbulence were cited as causes.
5. United Airlines Flight 232 (1989) – A DC-10 crash-landed in Sioux City, Iowa, after losing hydraulic control due to an engine failure. Of the 296 on board, 112 died. The crew’s efforts to control the plane were widely praised.
6. Delta Air Lines Flight 191 (1985) – A Lockheed L-1011 crashed while landing at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport during a microburst, killing 137 of the 163 on board and 1 person on the ground.
7. Pan Am Flight 759 (1982) – A Boeing 727 crashed in Kenner, Louisiana, shortly after takeoff due to wind shear, killing all 145 on board and 8 on the ground.
8. American Airlines Flight 77 (2001) – Part of the 9/11 attacks, this Boeing 757 was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon, killing all 64 on board and 125 in the building.
9. United Airlines Flight 175 (2001) – Another 9/11 hijacking, this Boeing 767 was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, killing all 65 on board and countless others in the building.
10. Northwest Airlines Flight 255 (1987) – A McDonnell Douglas MD-82 crashed shortly after takeoff from Detroit, killing 154 of the 155 on board and 2 on the ground. Pilot error and failure to configure the flaps were blamed.
11. Alaska Airlines Flight 261 (2000) – A MD-83 crashed into the Pacific Ocean near California due to a jammed stabilizer, killing all 88 on board. Maintenance issues were identified as the cause.

These tragedies highlight the importance of aviation safety improvements over the decades.