A devastating mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter was caught on a live-streaming webcam in Washington, D.C., showing the moment the two aircraft collided before plunging into the Potomac River in a "fireball".
The crash was recorded by a webcam positioned at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The footage captures the moment the commercial jet, a CRJ-700 operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, bursts into flames before careening toward the river after being struck by the helicopter, per the New York Times.
One air traffic controller watching events unfold exclaimed: "Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three," while another confirmed: "I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven't seen anything since they hit the river. But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit."
Webcam Captures Chilling Final Moments
American Airlines Flight 5342 was on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s Runway 33 when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk military helicopter from Fort Belvoir.
Per CNN, just before impact, an air traffic controller was heard asking the helicopter crew: “PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?”
Seconds later, chaos erupted as both aircraft plummeted toward the river. The webcam footage, now circulating online, shows the explosion lighting up the night sky before debris disappears into the dark waters below.
Response and Investigation Underway
Emergency response teams have been working around the clock to recover victims, with at least 19 bodies pulled from the river so far, per circulating reports.
Authorities have confirmed the aircraft carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter had three soldiers onboard for a reported training mission.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom addressed the tragedy in a video message, expressing "deep sorrow" and pledging full cooperation in the investigation.
"This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines," Isom said. "Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones."
Eyewitnesses Describe the Moment of Impact
Washington resident Jimmy Mazeo, who was in a nearby park, initially mistook the explosion for a meteor.
"We saw these white flares streak across the sky. At first, we thought they were shooting stars," he told WUSA9.
His confusion quickly turned to shock as emergency vehicles swarmed the area.
"We didn’t really think much of it until we saw the fire trucks, police cars, and boats racing toward the river. It was insane," he recalled. "Of course, it’s terrible what happened tonight, but I think it’s crazy we got to see what happened. I’m praying for all the people involved in this."
What Happens Next?
With search and rescue efforts ongoing, authorities have cautioned that the full scale of the tragedy is still being assessed. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly described conditions in the river as "extremely rough", with frigid temperatures and turbulent waters complicating recovery efforts.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with American Airlines fully cooperating. "We are actively working with local, state, and federal authorities," Isom confirmed. "Our cooperation is without pause, and we want to learn everything we can about today's events."
The airline has set up a helpline (1-800-679-8215) for families of those onboard.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as the investigation unfolds.