In an interview with CBS News, the husband of a passenger on American Airlines Flight 5342, which crashed in the Potomac River after being struck in midair by a Blackhawk military helicopter Wednesday night, revealed the final text message he received from his wife before the crash.
Hamaad Raza told the outlet that his wife sent him a text message saying “landing in 20 minutes.” He said he tried to send a message back but it didn’t go through, which made him realize something was wrong.
“I’m praying that someone is pulling her from the river as we speak. Raza told the outlet, “She texted me that she was landing in 20 minutes.”
He stated that his wife, whom he did not name, had gone to Kansas for work.
Around 9 p.m. EST, a Blackhawk military helicopter collided with a regional jet en route from Wichita, Kansas. The plane was reportedly approaching Reagan National Airport.
According to a post on X, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. EST, when the small aircraft crashed into the water. Fireboats, as well as other agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, responded to the scene. All takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted while emergency crews responded to the scene.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance have been briefed on the situation.
In a statement, the president thanked first responders for their “incredible work,” and said he was “monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
“May God bless their souls,” he said.
“Pray for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport this evening. We are monitoring the situation, but for the time being, let us hope for the best,” Vice President Vance wrote on X.
Late Wednesday night, American Airlines confirmed that the flight was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.
The commercial plane was American Airlines flight 5342, which left Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport at 5:22PM CST, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
American Airlines said in a statement: “We are aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA and flying from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), has been involved in an incident. We will provide updates as they become available.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated in a post on X that “every available US Coast Guard resource” was being deployed “for search and rescue efforts” in connection with the crash.
The newly appointed official stated that her agency was “actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders,” adding, “Praying for the victims and first responders.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was sworn in earlier this week, stated in a social media post that he is “at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.”
The FAA will brief the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation tomorrow morning, according to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on Reagan National Airport’s shorter Runway 33, and the pilots said yes, according to the Associated Press.
According to a defense official, the helicopter was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The official spoke with the AP under the condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.
According to CNN, a US Defense official stated that three soldiers were aboard the Blackhawk helicopter, which was not carrying any VIPs.
An observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center captured video of two sets of lights, indicating that aircraft were joining in a fireball.
