Plane and Helicopter Collide Near Reagan National Airport, Massive Response Underway

Washington, D.C. – A plane and a helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening, triggering a large-scale emergency response. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion followed by smoke rising from the south side of the airport.

Ishmael, a local resident at Buzzard Point near James Creek Marina, recounted the harrowing moments following the crash. “I was watching TV when I heard a loud bang, bang. It was something unfamiliar,” he said. Upon looking out his window, he saw smoke billowing from the site of the collision. Within minutes, emergency responders—including the U.S. Coast Guard, D.C. police, Arlington police, and fire trucks—rushed toward the scene.

Footage captured by Ishmael at around 8:50 p.m. showed the intense emergency operation unfolding. “The Potomac River is frozen, with temperatures hovering around 39 degrees, making rescue efforts even more challenging,” he noted. The icy conditions have complicated access to the wreckage, requiring specialized maneuvering by Coast Guard units.

Authorities have not yet officially classified the operation as a recovery mission, but the decreasing number of boats in the water suggests that first responders may be shifting focus from rescue to recovery. “It’s devastating,” Ishmael added. “We can only hope they find survivors despite these extreme conditions.”

Emergency vehicles continue to fill the area surrounding Reagan National Airport, with hundreds of fire trucks stationed on-site. However, Ishmael observed that the number of boats involved in the search operation has significantly decreased. “Most of the boats are now stationed on the east side of the river, near the military base, which may indicate that debris has been located.”

Authorities are expected to provide an official update soon. For now, the situation remains tense as the community awaits news on the fate of those involved in the collision.