Two flights diverted to RIC after plane collides with helicopter, crashes into Potomac River
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Two flights have been diverted from Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) to Richmond International Airport (RIC) after a plane was hit by a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night. At about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and crew members collided with an Army UH-60 helicopter near DCA in Arlington. The plane then crashed into the Potomac River. MORE: American Airlines plane in Potomac River after crash with helicopter, officials say There are believed to be casualties, but the exact number is not yet known as of the time of reporting. Anyone who believes they may have had a loved one on board Flight 5342 out of Wichita, Kansas should call American Airlines at 800-679-8215. DCA has halted all take-offs and landings as emergency personnel work to rescue all persons they can from the wreckage. A spokesperson for RIC told 8News that, as of 11 p.m. Wednesday night, two flights meant to land in DCA have instead been diverted to the Henrico County airport due to this incident. This includes one Jet Blue flight from San Juan, Puetro Rico and one American Airlines flight from Savannah, Georgia. Both reportedly landed around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. RIC advised that additional diversions are possible. No further details are available at this time. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) posted the following statement to X, formerly known as Twitter, about the crash: "I’m closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and my office is in touch with officials as the response effort begins. My thoughts are with all victims and first responders as they address this concerning and tragic incident." This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Two flights have been diverted from Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) to Richmond International Airport (RIC) after a plane was hit by a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night.
At about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and crew members collided with an Army UH-60 helicopter near DCA in Arlington. The plane then crashed into the Potomac River.
MORE: American Airlines plane in Potomac River after crash with helicopter, officials say
There are believed to be casualties, but the exact number is not yet known as of the time of reporting. Anyone who believes they may have had a loved one on board Flight 5342 out of Wichita, Kansas should call American Airlines at 800-679-8215.
DCA has halted all take-offs and landings as emergency personnel work to rescue all persons they can from the wreckage.
A spokesperson for RIC told 8News that, as of 11 p.m. Wednesday night, two flights meant to land in DCA have instead been diverted to the Henrico County airport due to this incident.
This includes one Jet Blue flight from San Juan, Puetro Rico and one American Airlines flight from Savannah, Georgia. Both reportedly landed around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
RIC advised that additional diversions are possible. No further details are available at this time.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) posted the following statement to X, formerly known as Twitter, about the crash:
"I’m closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and my office is in touch with officials as the response effort begins. My thoughts are with all victims and first responders as they address this concerning and tragic incident."
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
