PSA CRJ7 at Washington on Jan 29th 2025, midair collision with helicopter on final

Last Update: February 4, 2025 / 22:02:42 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jan 29, 2025

Classification
Crash

Airline
PSA Airlines

Flight number
AA-5342

Departure
Wichita, United States

Destination
Washington National, United States

Aircraft Registration
N709PS

Aircraft Type
Canadair CRJ-700

ICAO Type Designator
CRJ7

Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington

Airport ICAO Code
KDCA

A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N709PS performing flight AA-5342 from Wichita,KS to Washington National,DC (USA) with 60 passengers and 4 crew, had been on approach to National's runway 01 and was asked by tower whether they could land runway 33, which the crew affirmed, the aircraft was subsequently cleared to land on runway 33. The aircraft was on final approach to National's runway 33 descending through about 200 feet AGL about 0.6nm before the runway threshold when the aircraft collided with a military Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter call sign PAT25 with 3 occupants, both aircraft fell into the Potomac River at 20:46L (01:46Z 30.1.). "Tower, did you see that?" somebody radioed at 01:46:39Z. All subsequent approaches were instructed to go around, departures were halted. All occupants of both aircraft perished as result of the collision.

The airport was closed for the time being.

Tower told aircraft waiting for departures that there had been a collision on finals to runway 33, the airfield was closed and they should return to the apron and shut engines down.

Tower diverted several helicopters in the area following the crash.

A massive rescue operation commenced, with multiple helicopters over the crash site and boats were on scene for search and rescue. Emergency Services stated that due to the current temperatures people would have only about 15-30 minutes until hypothermia sets in and about 30-90 minutes survival time. Emergency Services reported they received an alert from the FAA tower about the crash at 20:48L (01:48Z 30.1.), a state and federal response was initiated involving about 300 personnel.

On Jan 30th 2025 at about 00:30L (05:30Z) local police reported, that fatalities are confirmed, so far no survivors have been rescued.

In a press conference in the morning (US time) of Jan 30th 2025 Officials reported 28 bodies have been recovered so far, and search and rescue operation has been officially turned into a recovery operation. Emergency services do not believe that there are survivors.

Eyewitnesses reported there were suddenly sparks and the aircraft rolled beyond 90 degrees and belly up, possibly about 120 feet above water, and plunged into the water. They could not see a helicopter.

The FAA reported: "A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation." The FAA subsequently added the airport will remain closed until Friday Jan 31st 2025 05:00L.

The NTSB reported: "NTSB has launched a go-team to the aviation accident involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane and a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport."

The US Army reported a Blackhawk UH-60 departing Belvoir,VA (USA) for a training mission was involved in the midair collision. According to preliminary information there were 3 people on board of the helicopter.

In a press conference in the afternoon (local Washington time) of Jan 30th 2025 the NTSB reported that the black boxes have not yet been recovered, they are still under water. Being the first day at the accident side, the NTSB indicated they are not going to present any data today as they are still in the process of fetching, verifying and analysing the data. The NTSB reported the helicopter was transitioning from helicopter route 1 to route 4. (end of the press conference)

On Jan 31st 2025 the NTSB announced, that both black boxes (Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder) have been recovered and have already been taken to the NTSB labs for evaluation.

On Jan 31st 2025 the NTSB reported in their press conference, the FDR was recovered in good condition, the NTSB is confident to get a full readout of the device, the CVR had suffered watered intrusion and needs drying and testing before attempting to download. The helicopter has a combined cockpit voice and digital flight datarecorder, this black box has been recovered, too. The box had no exterior damage and the NTSB is highly confident to be able to fully extract the data. A lot more videos showing the collision have been collected. Interviews have been conducted with the air traffic controllers including the one working at the time of the accident and the interview is still going on.

On Feb 1st 2025 the NTSB reported in their 3rd press conference, the CRJ's FDR and CVR were successfully downloaded, the FDR working group is currently analysing the FDR data. The CVR contained 124 minutes of good audio. The recordings have already been synchronised. The crew performed an approach briefing and was cleared for the runway 01 approach, the crew subsequently agreed to runway 33 upon question by the controller. The CRJ crew received a Traffic Advisory. About one second prior to impact the CRJ increased their pitch. A transcript of the ATC communication on all frequencies will hopefully be available tomorrow (Feb 2nd). It is not yet known whether the helicopter crew was using their night goggles. The helicopter black box also suffered water intrusion, however, the NTSB is confident to be able to download the whole recordings. In the occurrence the day before claimed to be a near collision by media the separation never reduced to below 1000 feet vertical. At the time of the crash 5 controllers were active, the tower controller was assisted by an assistance controller, an operations supervisor, an operational supervisor in training and a ground controller. Interviews are being conducted. Currently there is no read out of the helicopter's altitude yet. At the time of impact the CRJ was at 325+/-25 feet MSL, the radar screen of tower showed 200 feet MSL (to be verified and assessed). At the data screen of the controller the altitude of the helicopter at the time of impact showed 200 feet, these data are still being assessed. The NTSB is working to exactly determine the altitude at which the collision occurred. The helicopter was within the assigned route with ceiling of 200 feet MSL. The helicopter was showing 200 feet at the radar screen of tower, the reading however has less fidelity than the FDR data of the CRJ showing the CRJ at 325+/-25 feet MSL.

On Feb 4th 2025 the NTSB announced: "NTSB is not planning any additional on scene media briefings on the Jan. 29 midair collision near DCA. NTSB needs additional information to verify data points from the Black Hawk. In order to obtain this information, the Black Hawk needs to be recovered from the water, which is expected to take place later this week. Any future media briefings will take place at NTSB headquarters." The NTSB indicated however that an investigative update might become available later Feb 4th 2025. In the evening of Feb 4th 2025 the NTSB stated in their investigative update: "NTSB has also been provided updated information that shows the air traffic control tower display at DCA is fed by the Potomac TRACON. The TRACON fuses information from multiple radar sensors and ADS-B data, providing the best quality flight track data to air traffic control. This data showed the Black Hawk was at 300 feet on the air traffic control display at the time of the collision. This data is rounded to the nearest 100 feet. NTSB needs additional information to verify data points from the Black Hawk. In order to obtain this information, the Black Hawk needs to be recovered from the water, which is expected to take place later this week."

Related NOTAMs:
!DCA 01/745 DCA RWY 15/33 CLSD 2501300150-2501312100
!DCA 01/746 DCA AD AP CLSD 2501300155-2501310400

Metars:
KDCA 300352Z 30008KT 10SM CLR 08/M06 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP147 T00831061=
KDCA 300252Z 30007KT 10SM CLR 09/M07 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP136 ACFT MSHP T00891067 51037=
KDCA 300245Z 29007KT 10SM CLR 09/M07 A2993 RMK AO2 ACFT MSHP T00891067=
KDCA 300152Z 30014G23KT 270V330 10SM CLR 10/M07 A2990 RMK AO2 PK WND 30033/0108 SLP126 T01001072=
KDCA 300052Z 29015G25KT 10SM CLR 11/M07 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP114 T01061072=
KDCA 292352Z 28010G18KT 10SM CLR 11/M07 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP098 T01111067 10178 20106 51046=
KDCA 292252Z 31011G23KT 10SM FEW050 12/M07 A2978 RMK AO2 PK WND 32026/2228 SLP084 T01171067=
KDCA 292152Z 31013G26KT 10SM FEW050 13/M06 A2973 RMK AO2 PK WND 29035/2103 SLP068 T01281061=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
N709PS
Country of Registration
United States
Date of Registration
DhhqeAhplm jnccp Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
BOMBARDIER INC
Aircraft Model / Type
CL-600-2C10
Number of Seats
Pk Subscribe to unlock
ICAO Aircraft Type
CRJ7
Year of Manufacture
Ahnb Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
H cdl Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
IpclkA Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
I Subscribe to unlock
Engine Manufacturer
Dg Subscribe to unlock
Engine Model
GjqcfcqnjAd Subscribe to unlock
Engine Type
Eg ldljcc Subscribe to unlock
Pounds of Thrust
Eqng Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
Dmpjk blqbdnqebmqjljcnAmhqAmggbfhcnfAnjjkicfgjbcedmkdlbneAmAfAcjikmcqAiig hpgqn bjeAfkmqpg Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jan 29, 2025

Classification
Crash

Airline
PSA Airlines

Flight number
AA-5342

Departure
Wichita, United States

Destination
Washington National, United States

Aircraft Registration
N709PS

Aircraft Type
Canadair CRJ-700

ICAO Type Designator
CRJ7

Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington

Airport ICAO Code
KDCA

Videos

Photos

Photo from NTSBgov
(Photo credit: NTSBgov / Flickr / License: Public Domain)
Photo from NTSBgov
(Photo credit: NTSBgov / Flickr / License: Public Domain)
Photo from NTSBgov
The NTSB, in coordination with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), recovered the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in the Jan. 29 mid-air collision near DCA. The Black Hawk was recovered to a barge in the Potomac Riv (Photo credit: NTSBgov / Flickr / License: Public Domain)

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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