Everything we know so far about the Washington plane crash after collision with military Black Hawk helicopter

A view of the scene after a regional plane collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. United States on January 30, 2025. (Credit: Celal Gunes/Anadolu - Getty Images)

• President Donald Trump has questioned why a helicopter which crashed into a commercial flight didn't change its course, after the two collided and plunged more than 60 people into the Potomac River in Washington D.C. Both aircraft were likely fitted with collision avoidance systems—and experts are asking why they failed. There are now more than 300 responders now on the scene of the "highly complex" operation.

Rescue teams are desperately searching for bodies in dark, murky, icy water after an American Airlines flight carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter over Washington D.C.