Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, an Army helicopter collided midair with a passenger jet. The jet was American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. It was involved in a crash with a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. The aircraft then crash-landed in the Potomac River.

Motley Rice aviation safety advocates and litigators offer insight to the media as the details of the aviation tragedy emerge.

What happened with AA Flight 5342 and the Army helicopter?

Early reports indicate the plane crash happened while the commercial flight, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Officials have shared with media that three soldiers were on board the military helicopter when the aircraft collided. American Airlines stated at a press conference that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board the regional jet. 

A statement released by American Airlines encouraged loved ones of those on board Flight 5342 to call the airline toll-free at 800-679-8215. 

“Reagan National has one of the most restricted air spaces in the United States and is one of the most congested with commercial, military and private aviation all trying to occupy a small space. More safety reforms are needed but this investigation will take time, especially since multiple agencies and laws will be involved,” shared former U.S. Air Force navigator and Motley Rice aviation lawyer, Jim Brauchle.

Watch Motley Rice attorney Jim Brauchle discuss the mid-air collision and crash with Fox 5 DC.

Watch Motley Rice attorney Mary Schiavo discuss the mid-air collision and crash with CNN.

Our aviation experience 

Ouraviation attorneyshave extensive experience seeking justice for victims of commercial plane disasters, and military helicopter crashes through investigations and litigation, including a UH-60 Black Hawk crash in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in November 2020. The firm also investigated and is in current litigation of a MH-60 Black Hawk crash off the Yemen coast after engine failure. The case is against General Electric and other component manufacturers. Motley Rice also litigated a case of an U.S. Army-owned Sikorsky MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter that crashed during a training flight at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Georgia in 2014, which resulted in the death of the pilot and serious injuries to the other crewmembers.

If you or someone you know has information about this crash, that may assist Motley Rice’s investigation of this crash, complete our online form to contact Motley Rice aviation attorney Mary Schiavo and Jim Brauchle.

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