Tragedy Strikes Washington: American Airlines Flight Collides with Army Helicopter, 67 Lives Lost
Below is image of Asra Hussain, 26 year old from Carmel, IN.
In a devastating mid-air collision, American Eagle Flight 5342 crashed into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., after colliding with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The incident, which occurred around 9 p.m. ET, claimed the lives of all 64 people aboard the passenger jet and three military personnel in the helicopter. Among the victims was 26-year-old Asra Hussain, whose final text message to her husband moments before the crash has become a poignant reminder of the tragedy's human toll.
A Fateful Flight
American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines, departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The Bombardier CRJ-701ER aircraft was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the Army Black Hawk helicopter conducting a routine training exercise.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collision. J. Todd Inman, an NTSB representative, stated, "We will not be ascertaining the probable cause of the accident while we are on-site, nor will we speculate on the factors that may have contributed to this incident."
The Final Message
Among the passengers was Asra Hussain, a 26-year-old healthcare management professional from Carmel, Indiana. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Hussain had sent a text message to her husband, Hamaad Raza, just moments before the crash." She texted me that they were landing in 20 minutes,". "The rest of my texts didn't get delivered, and that's when I realized that something might be up."Raza, who had been waiting at the airport to pick up his wife, found himself amid an unfolding tragedy. "I'm just praying that somebody's pulling her out of the river right now, as we speak. That's all I can pray for; I'm just praying to God," he said.
A Life Cut Short
Asra Hussain, a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, earned her B.S. in Healthcare Management and Policy in 2020 before completing a master's degree in healthcare management. Her promising career and life were tragically cut short by the accident. The couple had been married for two years, with Raza describing his wife as the "kindest person I've ever met" who went "above and beyond" for others. "She went above and beyond and then took a giant leap over that when it came to doing things for other people, for me, for her parents, for my parents," Raza told NBC4 Washington.
The Immediate Aftermath
The collision was first reported to Metropolitan Police at 8:53 p.m. EST, with emergency personnel quickly dispatched to the scene. Over 300 first responders were deployed, working tirelessly to recover victims from the wreckage in challenging conditions. District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly provided a somber update on Thursday morning. "We are transitioning from a rescue mission to a recovery operation. At this stage, we do not anticipate any survivors from this incident," he stated in a press briefing reported by NBC News.
Investigation Underway
The NTSB, leading the investigation with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has recovered the black boxes from both aircraft. These crucial devices, which record flight data and cockpit communications, are expected to provide vital information about the moments leading up to the collision. Initial data suggests that the Black Hawk helicopter may have been flying at an altitude of approximately 325 feet when the crash occurred, higher than the 200-foot limit typically imposed on helicopters in the area. This detail has become a key focus of the investigation.
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through multiple communities. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several athletes, coaches, and family members were on board Flight 5342, returning from a National Development Camp associated with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita."We are heartbroken by this unimaginable tragedy and keep the families of the victims in our thoughts," the organization expressed in a statement obtained by NBC News.
Eyewitness Accounts
An eyewitness to the collision, Ari Schulman, provided a chilling account to NBC Washington. "I was driving down the George Washington National Parkway when I saw the plane approach. It looked normal until it suddenly banked sharply to the right. Then I saw streams of sparks underneath it, lighting up its underside. That's when I knew something was very, very wrong."The incident was also captured by a live stream camera at the Kennedy Center, showing an explosion in the area of the Potomac River at 8:47 p.m. Eastern.
Air Traffic Control Concerns
Investigations are also focusing on potential staffing issues in air traffic control. CBS News reported that one air traffic controller was managing both copters and some planes from the Reagan National Airport tower at the time of the collision, a job usually done by two people.
A Nation Responds
The tragedy has drawn responses from the highest levels of government. President Trump confirmed on Thursday that there were no survivors and expressed condolences to the families affected. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that the airline works closely with investigators. "This tragic loss deeply saddens us, and we are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation," Isom stated in a press release.