On the night of Wednesday, January 30, a plane crashes in Washington, D.C., United States, after a mid-air collision with a military Black Hawk helicopter over the cold waters of the Potomac River, near Ronald Reagan National Airport. This tragedy, already considered one of the most shocking air incidents of the past decade in the United States, has resulted in at least 60 fatalities. State and federal authorities, along with rescue teams, are working intensively to recover bodies and clarify the causes behind this tragic event.

Below, we present the key facts—organized in a series of frequently asked questions on Google—to understand the plane crash in Washington, D.C., as well as its consequences, ongoing investigations, and its impact on the figure skating world.

Plane collides with a helicopter in Washington: What happened?

On Wednesday night, around 9:00 PM, a Bombardier CRJ700 commercial plane operated by PSA Airlines—a subcontractor of American Airlines, covering the route Wichita (Kansas)–Washington, D.C. under flight number American Eagle 5342—was approaching the runway at Ronald Reagan National Airport when the unthinkable happened: a helicopter collided with the plane in mid-air.

According to information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the military aircraft was a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter belonging to the United States Army conducting a nighttime training flight.

The collision immediately generated a fireball in the night sky, and within seconds, the remains of the commercial plane plunged into the Potomac River. The helicopter, severely damaged, also ended up crashing into the water.

How many people died in the plane and helicopter crash?

The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter had three military personnel on board, bringing the total to 67 people across both aircraft.

Local and federal authorities, along with numerous volunteers and members of the Coast Guard, worked throughout the night in the area to locate survivors. However, weather conditions—low temperatures, strong winds, and darkness—severely complicated rescue efforts. By Thursday morning, spokespersons for the Washington Fire and Police Departments stated that, unfortunately, no survivors were expected.

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What are the Bombardier CRJ700 plane and Black Hawk helicopter like?

The aircraft involved, a Bombardier CRJ700, is a regional jet widely used by U.S. airlines for short- and medium-haul flights. According to Air Charter Service specifications, it is a model with a capacity of up to 78 passengers, although in this case, it was carrying 64 people, including passengers and crew.

The CRJ700 made its first test flight on May 27, 1999, and received FAA certification in 2001.

As for the military helicopter, it is a UH-60 Black Hawk, designed for tactical missions and troop transport.

The Black Hawk is widely used by the United States Army for its versatility, speed, and maneuverability and undergoes frequent training and evaluations, including nighttime flights with night vision goggles. According to statements from the Secretary of Defense, the helicopter was part of the 12th Aviation Battalion and was on an annual nighttime evaluation training flight with an experienced crew.

Videos of the plane and helicopter collision go viral

Numerous video fragments showing the exact moment the helicopter collided with the plane have been shared on social media and news channels. As often happens with high-profile incidents near metropolitan areas, several cameras were capturing live images, including the webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, located just a few miles from the crash site.

These images are chilling: at 8:47 PM, the two aircraft make contact, immediately triggering an explosion followed by a trail of fire. The FAA later confirmed that the plane was in its final approach to runway 33 at Ronald Reagan National Airport, while the helicopter was conducting training maneuvers along the river.

This was the exact moment of the American Airlines plane crash with a helicopter in Washington. pic.twitter.com/hsAhAXzGHm

— Reporte Índigo (@Reporte_Indigo) January 30, 2025

— HOLA FM (@HolaFM_) January 30, 2025

BREAKING: Another video shows the moment of the passenger plane colliding with army helicopter at Potomac River near Washington D.C. airport. pic.twitter.com/mesUFqr8CE

— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) January 30, 2025

How did rescue operations unfold in the Potomac River?

The first minutes after the impact were critical. Authorities received multiple emergency calls, and rescue helicopters, police boats, the Coast Guard, and fire department units immediately rushed to the freezing waters of the Potomac.

However, according to statements by Fire Chief John Donnelly, darkness, extreme cold, and strong currents complicated search and rescue efforts. By early morning, divers had recovered dozens of bodies, but the possibility of finding survivors seemed unlikely.

It is estimated that more than 300 emergency personnel, including volunteers and official staff, have participated in the extensive operation. The plane ended up upside down and broken into three main sections scattered within less than a mile. The military helicopter also suffered severe damage and was partially submerged.

Who were the passengers? The figure skating community mourns

One of the most shocking aspects of the tragedy is that several internationally renowned figure skaters were on board, including former Russian world champion Evgenia Shishkova and her husband, Vadim Naumov. Both had been living in the U.S. for over two decades, coaching young skaters in Connecticut. Russian and American media confirmed that the names Shishkova and Naumov appeared on the passenger list.

Several outlets, including Russia’s Sport-Express, reported: “The tragedy in the skies of Washington claimed the lives of several famous athletes.” Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not name the two former champions but confirmed they were aboard when asked directly. The International Skating Union (ISU) also expressed condolences in a statement.

Besides Shishkova and Naumov, other skaters, coaches, and family members were reportedly on the flight returning to Washington, D.C., after attending a post-national championship training camp in Wichita, Kansas.

Media outlets have specifically mentioned young figure skating talents and some parents traveling with them. Notably, references have been made to members of the Skating Club of Boston and the family of rising star Jinna Han, among others.

Why did a plane and a helicopter collide?

U.S. authorities have stated that it is still too early to speculate on the exact causes of the collision. However, it is known that Reagan National Airport’s control tower provided instructions to both the commercial plane and the military helicopter. In fact, a leaked radio transmission—published on LiveATC.net—records an air traffic controller instructing the helicopter to pass behind the approaching plane.

With 67 people on board between the two aircraft, this tragedy could become the deadliest commercial aviation accident in the U.S. since 2009.