DeKalb GA News

The FBI's Washington Field Office has stated that there is no indication of terrorism in the collision between a helicopter and a passenger plane near Reagan National Airport. The incident occurred on Wednesday night and involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter.

According to early reports, the passenger plane was carrying approximately 60 passengers and four crew members. Rescue operations are currently underway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash, with the NTSB taking the lead.

NBC News quoted a senior FBI official saying, "There is no indication of any criminality or terrorism in tonight’s midair crash near Reagan National Airport."

A video from Kennedy Center security captured an explosion following the collision, while webcam footage from Alejandro Alvarez showed an explosion across the Potomac River. Independent reporter Andrew Leyden first reported on the possible incident at 8:53 p.m. EST.

FlightRadar24 confirmed that AA5342 was en route from Wichita to Washington when it was involved in the collision with a US military UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. President Donald J. Trump issued a statement expressing his condolences and commending first responders for their efforts.

Fox News reported that three soldiers were onboard the military helicopter involved in the crash. NBC Washington's Mark Seagraves provided details on the crash scene, stating that parts of the American Airlines plane were submerged in about seven feet of water near Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

Rescue teams are facing challenges due to instability at the site, making it difficult for divers to access parts of the wreckage.