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UPDATE: No Survivors in Midair Plane Crash at Reagan Washington National Airport

American Flag. Image courtesy FreePik
American Flag. Image courtesy FreePik

Updated on Friday, Jan. 31,

The fatal midair plane crash that occurred over the Potomac River on Wednesday evening had no survivors. All 60 passengers, four crew members and three U.S. Army service members died in the incident at Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials have retrieved the black box on American Eagle Flight 5342 and continue investigating the crash. 


Original post on Thursday, Jan. 30

A fatal midair plane crash occurred near the Potomac River in Washington D.C. late Wednesday evening, likely killing all 60 passengers and four crew members on board.

According to a preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, American Eagle Flight 5342 was landing at Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington D.C. from Wichita around 9 p.m. when it collided midair with a U.S. Army helicopter.

The report stated that American Eagle Flight 5342 was a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, and the helicopter was a Sikorsky H-60.

City of Wichita Mayor Lily Wu held a media briefing at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, and provided some sorrowful words to the Wichita community.

Audio file
City of Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. Audio courtesy City of Wichita YouTube page

U.S. Representative Ron Estes also attended the briefing alongside multiple Wichita leaders and organizations.

In response to the tragedy, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly ordered flags state-wide to be flown at half-staff immediately until Thursday, Feb. 6 to honor the dozens of passengers, four crew members and three U.S. Army service members who lost their lives in the plane crash.

"Today, Kansas mourns a tragedy. I am devastated by the event that unfolded last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ loved ones,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thank you to the more than 300 brave first responders in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who were on the scene immediately. This is a sad day for our state and our nation.”

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