‘Nothing short of a nightmare’: Kansas officials react to Wichita flight crash in DC
Kansas elected officials are searching for answers and calling for prayers after a jet carrying passengers on a direct flight from Wichita to Washington, D.C., crashed into a Black Hawk military helicopter in the nation’s capital.
American Airlines said the flight had 60 passengers and four crew members. Rescue efforts were underway as of 10 p.m. Wednesday.
The Trump White House also released a statement on the crash.
“I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport,” Gov. Laura Kelly wrote on Facebook. “I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available.”
U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall along with Rep. Ron Estes, who represents Wichita, posted on X.com, asking for prayers.
“Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare,” Marshall wrote. “A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.”
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu wrote on Facebook that she will continue to share news as it comes in about the crash.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on a Fox News interview that the helicopter was a military helicopter.
American Airlines flight 5342 was approaching Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport (DCA) when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, according to the FAA. All flights out of DCA and landings at DCA were halted and the debris of the plane and helicopter were in the Potomac River.
“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,” the FAA said in a written statement. “PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.”
The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, will lead the investigation, the FAA said.
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 10:20 PM.