Overview
• Operator: PSA Airlines (on behalf of American Airlines)
• Aircraft Model: Canadair CRJ-700
• Registration: N709PS
• Flight Number: AA-5342
• Route: Wichita, KS (USA) to Washington National, DC (USA)
• Date: 29 January 2025
• Occupants: 60 passengers and 4 crew
• Aircraft 2: Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
• Call Sign: PAT25
• Operator: United States Army
• Route: Training mission from Fort Belvoir, VA
• Occupants: 3 military personnel
Accident Summary
On 29 January 2025, PSA Airlines flight AA-5342, a Canadair CRJ-700 operated on behalf of American Airlines, was on approach to Washington National Airport (DCA) when it was cleared to land on Runway 33. While on final approach at approximately 200 feet AGL and 0.6 nautical miles from the runway threshold, the aircraft collided with a United States Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, operating under call sign PAT25.
Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River at 20:46 local time (01:46Z 30.1.). Emergency services were immediately alerted, and search-and-rescue operations commenced. However, all 63 occupants on both aircraft perished.
Sequence of Events
1. Approach to Washington National (DCA):
• The PSA CRJ-700 was originally assigned Runway 01 but was later cleared to land on Runway 33.
• The aircraft was on final approach, descending through 200 feet AGL when the midair collision occurred.
2. Midair Collision:
• The collision occurred 0.6 nautical miles from the threshold of Runway 33.
• Witnesses reported seeing sparks, and the CRJ-700 rolled inverted before plummeting into the Potomac River.
• The Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter was on a military training mission, and preliminary information indicates it had departed Fort Belvoir, VA.
3. Crash and Emergency Response:
• Emergency services were alerted at 20:48 local time (01:48Z 30 Jan 2025).
• A massive search-and-rescue operation was launched involving over 300 personnel, helicopters, and rescue boats.
• Emergency officials estimated a survival time of 30-90 minutes due to cold water temperatures.
4. Casualty Confirmation:
• By 00:30 local time (05:30Z 30 Jan 2025), authorities confirmed multiple fatalities.
• By the morning of 30 January 2025, 28 bodies had been recovered.
• The operation officially transitioned from search-and-rescue to recovery.
5. Eyewitness Accounts:
• Witnesses near the airport reported seeing sparks in the sky before the CRJ-700 rolled beyond 90 degrees and impacted the water.
• Some observers did not visually see the helicopter before the collision.
Investigation
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Statement:
• The FAA confirmed the midair collision and announced a formal investigation in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
• The airport remained closed, with a planned reopening on 31 January 2025 at 05:00 local time.
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Response:
• The NTSB launched a full investigative team to analyze the circumstances surrounding the accident.
• As of 30 January 2025, the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) have not yet been recovered, as both are submerged in the Potomac River.
• US Army Confirmation:
• The US Army confirmed that the Black Hawk UH-60 involved was operating out of Fort Belvoir, VA on a training mission with three crew members on board.
Aircraft Status
• Both aircraft were completely destroyed upon impact.
• Recovery of black boxes is a priority to determine flight path, ATC communications, and possible causes leading up to the collision.
• The Potomac River crash site remains under investigation, with search and recovery efforts ongoing.
Analysis and Recommendations
Midair collisions in terminal airspace are rare but catastrophic events, typically resulting from miscommunication, air traffic control (ATC) coordination issues, or failures in aircraft separation procedures. Key areas of investigation include:
• ATC Communication & Coordination:
• Review of Washington National’s air traffic control clearances and coordination between civilian and military aircraft.
• Examination of whether proper separation protocols were followed between the CRJ-700 and the UH-60 Black Hawk.
• Aircraft Traffic and Visibility:
• Analysis of whether pilot situational awareness played a role in the collision.
• Evaluation of possible blind spots or visibility issues for both aircraft.
• Airspace Deconfliction Procedures:
• Investigation into whether proper military-civilian coordination procedures were in place.
• Review of existing traffic patterns, arrival sequencing, and potential airspace congestion near Washington National Airport.
• Survivability Factors:
• Assessment of crash impact forces and post-collision conditions in the Potomac River.
• Evaluation of emergency response times and challenges posed by water landings.
The NTSB will issue preliminary findings once black box data is recovered and analyzed.
Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available information as of 30 January 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the completeness of the details cannot be guaranteed. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish them removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
