Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Announces Immediate Investigation Into Washington DC Air Crash

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon and the US Army have launched an investigation into the catastrophic midair collision between a commercial jet and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.

Hegseth confirmed the probe in a statement on X, emphasizing that the investigation was “launched immediately.”

He called the incident “absolutely tragic” and noted that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing. “Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families,” he added.

The disaster unfolded when a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, a regional jet operating on behalf of American Airlines, collided midair with a US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. The plane, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. Fox News reported that three soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk at the time of impact.

At least part of the aircraft is now submerged in the river, while search and rescue teams scour the wreckage. Officials confirmed that at least 18 bodies have been recovered.

Flight operations at Reagan Airport have been temporarily halted as emergency teams assess the extent of the devastation.

Footage of the fiery collision has surfaced online, with one user posting webcam video from the Kennedy Center capturing the explosion. Another video shows the chaotic aftermath, as helicopters hover over the Potomac conducting search efforts.

The Federal Aviation Administration is assisting in the preliminary investigation.