The husband of a passenger on board American Airlines Flight 5342 - which collided with a military helicopter mid-air before plunging into a river - has shared his devastating wish as he awaits news about his wife. Hamaad Raza said in a heartbreaking interview that she was onboard the doomed jet and had texted him minutes before the catastrophe, saying "landing in 20 minutes." The plane, which was coming from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while three US Army soldiers were on board the Blackhawk military helicopter.
The two collided at the DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night at around 9pm local time, with all 64 passengers now feared dead. Hamaad said he sensed trouble when he attempted to reply to his wife but his message failed to send. He said: "I'm praying someone is pulling her from the river as we speak. She text me saying she was landing in 20 mins.". His wife, whose name he did not disclose, was coming back from a work trip in Kansas. Responders, including fireboats and layers of emergency agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), rushed to the scene, where the stricken aircraft lay split in two in the Potomac River.
It is understood 18 bodies have been recovered from the icy Potomac River so far, and the search and rescue operation in the water continues. Investigators are working to piece together the aircrafts' final moments before their collision, including contact with air traffic controllers as well as a loss of altitude by the passenger jet. The air traffic at the airport came to a standstill amid the emergency operations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed that the incident was brought to the attention of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who are being kept up to date with the ongoing situation.
In a statement, the president expressed his gratitude to the first responders for their "incredible work," and mentioned that he was "monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.". Trump said: "I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.".
He solemnly added: "May God Bless their souls." Echoing the sentiment, Vice President Vance urged the public on X, "Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best.". American Airlines released a statement saying: "We're aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.".
