A heart-stopping aviation disaster unfolded over Washington, DC, when an American Airlines flight collided mid-air with a US military Black Hawk helicopter, sending the passenger jet into the Potomac River.
One passenger’s husband, Hamaad Raza, described the horrifying moment he received a final text message from his wife—only to realize later that her plane had crashed.
American Airlines Flight Collides with Black Hawk Helicopter
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night, January 29, when a Bombardier CRJ700, operating as American Airlines Flight 5432, was nearing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time, the aircraft collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter belonging to the US Army.
The impact sent the passenger jet plunging into the Potomac River, with reports stating that the aircraft split in half and is now submerged seven feet underwater.
A Husband’s Worst Nightmare: The Last Text from His Wife
In an emotional interview, Raza recalled that his wife was among the 64 passengers aboard the doomed flight. Just 20 minutes before the crash, she had texted him, letting him know she was about to land.
But when he tried to reply, his messages never went through. That’s when fear set in.
“I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now. That’s all I can pray for,” Raza said, holding back tears.
Black Hawk Helicopter on Routine Training Mission
According to military officials, the Black Hawk helicopter was part of a training exercise at the time of the crash. The 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, confirmed that the aircraft was on a scheduled training flight when it collided with the American Airlines jet.
“We are working with local officials and will provide additional information as soon as possible,” a Pentagon spokesperson told Fox News.
Ongoing Investigation and Search for Survivors
Emergency responders are racing against time to locate survivors, with search and rescue operations still underway. Authorities are working to determine what caused the mid-air collision, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an official investigation.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, but the recovery operation remains a top priority.
.
