On January 29, at 8:47 p.m. ET, a PSA Airlines aircraft, Flight 5342, collided mid-air with a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three US soldiers on a training mission.
The crash occurred as the plane, en route from Wichita to Washington, D.C., was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Despite the desperate efforts of the plane’s pilot, Jonathan Campos, and co-pilot Samuel Lilley, who raced toward the helicopter at 140 mph, no survivors were found.
The debris fell into the Potomac River, marking the deadliest U.S. aviation accident since 2001.
Investigations revealed discrepancies between the control tower’s and flight recorder’s altitude readings, and ongoing inquiries aim to determine the cause.
A catastrophic mid-air collision between a PSA Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter has resulted in a devastating loss of life. Flight 5342, a commuter plane traveling from Wichita to Washington, D.C., collided with the military helicopter, which was carrying three U.S. soldiers on a routine training mission. The crash occurred as the aircraft approached Ronald Reagan National Airport, just outside the nation’s capital.
Despite valiant efforts by the flight crew of PSA Airlines, including Captain Jonathan Campos and First Officer Samuel Lilley, who attempted to maneuver the plane at 140 mph toward the helicopter in a desperate attempt to avoid the collision, no survivors were found in the aftermath of the crash.
The debris from both aircraft fell into the Potomac River, creating a tragic scene of wreckage.
Emergency responders rushed to the site of the wreckage, but by the time recovery teams arrived, all six individuals aboard both aircraft were confirmed dead. The victims include the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter and the three passengers aboard the flight.
This collision marks the deadliest U.S. aviation accident since 2001, leaving both aviation and military communities in shock.
Preliminary investigations into the disaster have revealed discrepancies between the control tower’s altitude readings and the data captured by the flight recorder, suggesting potential issues with altitude coordination between the two aircraft. Federal investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances leading to the crash, including possible failures in communication and navigation systems.
As the nation mourns the loss of those aboard Flight 5342 and the Black Hawk, families of the victims are calling for swift answers. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging the public to allow time for a thorough inquiry.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers faced by both civilian and military aviation, underscoring the need for further safety protocols and coordination in shared airspace.
