Dramatic Video Reveals Collision Between American Airlines Jet & Black Hawk Helicopter That Killed 67

Last Updated:March 30, 2026, 13:35 IST

Video shows American Airlines Flight 5342 collide with a US Army Black Hawk near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing 67 and spurring major safety reforms.

A newly released video has captured the moment an American Airlines passenger jet collided mid-air with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people on board the two aircraft last year.

In a video shared by 60 Minutes, footage shows the aircraft coming together mid-air, followed by a fireball and plumes of smoke as both crash into the Potomac River.

The crash took place on January 29, 2025, when the jet — operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 — was approaching the airport after flying in from Wichita, Kansas.

The Black Hawk helicopter was on a routine training mission in restricted airspace at the time of the collision, officials said.

All 64 passengers and crew on the aircraft, along with three military personnel on the helicopter, were killed, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the US since November 12, 2001.

The video is expected to aid ongoing investigations into the crash, which has already raised serious concerns over coordination between civilian and military aircraft in busy airspace.

Authorities are continuing to examine the sequence of events leading to the collision and the systems in place to prevent such incidents.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said over $12 billion has been secured to overhaul the air traffic control system.

Meanwhile, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford described the collision as a “sobering reminder" of the importance of safety reforms.

News world Dramatic Video Reveals Collision Between American Airlines Jet & Black Hawk Helicopter That Killed 67

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