A tragic incident occurred over Washington, D.C., last night when an American Airlines regional flight collided midair with a U.S. Army helicopter, resulting in both aircraft descending into the frigid waters of the Potomac River.
Among those mourning is Hamaad Raza, whose wife was a passenger on Flight 5342. Just moments prior to the collision, she sent him a text message—her final communication.
“Landing in 20 minutes.”
As his subsequent messages went unanswered, his deepest fears began to materialize.
A Catastrophic Collision in the Skies
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the crash took place around 9:00 PM local time, as the aircraft approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The American Airlines CRJ-700 jet, operated by PSA Airlines, was transporting 60 passengers and four crew members on its journey from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C.
Simultaneously, a U.S. Army helicopter was airborne, reportedly engaged in a routine training exercise with three soldiers on board.
Then—catastrophe ensued.
Horrifying Footage Captures the Moment of Impact
Disturbing CCTV footage from a nearby building has emerged online, depicting the moment of the collision. A tremendous fireball erupted in the night sky, illuminating the area as flaming debris cascaded toward the Potomac River below.
Eyewitnesses reported a significant explosion, which was followed by a scene filled with chaos and terror as both the aircraft and helicopter descended into the frigid waters.
In the aftermath of the incident, officials have refrained from disclosing the number of casualties, choosing instead to concentrate on the ongoing search and rescue operations.
The Urgent Quest for Survivors
Rescue teams are racing against the clock, facing severe conditions in their efforts to find survivors.
John Donnelly, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services in Washington D.C., characterized the rescue operation as exceptionally difficult due to the freezing temperatures, strong winds, and drifting ice on the river. “The primary challenge is access—there are winds and ice fragments. It is perilous and challenging to operate in these conditions,” Donnelly stated.
Over 300 emergency responders, utilizing inflatable boats and sophisticated sonar technology, have been mobilized for the search. However, as time elapses, optimism is diminishing for those who remain missing.
A Husband’s Heart-Wrenching Final Communication with His Wife
For Hamaad Raza, the last 24 hours have been a harrowing ordeal.
His wife was aboard Flight 5342, en route to Washington, D.C. Prior to the crash, she sent him a final message:
“Landing in 20 minutes.”
Those were the last words he would ever receive from her.
“I continued to text her, but my messages failed to go through,” Raza recounted to WUSA9, his voice filled with emotion. “That’s when I realized something was amiss.”
He now holds onto a solitary hope—that somewhere in the icy depths, rescuers will discover her alive.
“I am simply praying that someone is retrieving her from the river as we speak,” he expressed. “That is all I can hope for.”
American Airlines Issues Statement
In the wake of the tragic incident, American Airlines released an official statement acknowledging the heartbreaking loss of Flight 5342.
“Our primary concern is for the passengers and crew aboard the aircraft,” the statement indicated. “We are coordinating with authorities and providing support for emergency response operations.”
Family members seeking updates are encouraged to reach out to American Airlines through their toll-free hotline at 800-679-8215 or to visit news.aa.com for further assistance.
President Trump Addresses the Nation
President Donald Trump, recently inaugurated, spoke to the nation regarding the collective sorrow, confirming that he had received comprehensive briefings on the unfortunate event.
“May God bless their souls,” he remarked. “I extend my gratitude to the brave first responders who are putting their lives on the line in the rescue efforts.”
As the country grieves, families endure a painful wait, holding onto hope as rescue teams work tirelessly against time to reunite them with their loved ones.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this tragic event.
