The commercial jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter had three soldiers on board. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. Emergency responders, including fireboats and multiple agencies, initiated a search and rescue operation. Four individuals have been recovered from the river and transported to a hospital; their conditions remain undisclosed.
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have been briefed on the situation. The President commended the efforts of the emergency services and announced the deployment of Coast Guard resources to assist in the rescue operations. The FBI is also supporting the ongoing efforts.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. Preliminary information indicates that less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller inquired if the military helicopter had the commercial flight in sight. Moments later, the controller instructed the helicopter to pass behind Flight 5342.