Local News
Plane crash into Potomac River: Multiple under the water in seats, 19 bodies recovered so far
No survivor pulled yet from the water.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a military helicopter occurred Wednesday night over the Potomac River, near Reagan National Airport (DCA).
The crash prompted an immediate and extensive search and rescue operation as emergency responders worked to recover victims from the water.
According to emergency scanner reports, multiple passengers have been located underwater, still seated inside the wreckage.
As of early reports, at least 19 individuals have been brought to shore, but the total number of casualties remains unclear.
D.C. Fire and EMS, along with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and multiple partner agencies, have been deployed for rescue operations. Authorities confirmed that the crash occurred just before 9 p.m., with emergency calls coming in at 8:53 p.m. regarding an aircraft down in the river.
A dispatcher can be heard reporting:
“Officer advised, there’s a helicopter in the water. They found lifeboats retrieving injured, then looking for the aircraft at the moment.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as American Eagle Flight 5342, and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
- Flight 5342 was en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA).
- The military helicopter was carrying three Army soldiers, according to a defense official.
- The total number of passengers on board the aircraft is estimated at 60, along with four crew members.
Video footage from a Kennedy Center security camera captured the moment of impact, showing what appeared to be an explosion as the aircraft descended toward the airport.
As a result of the crash, all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport were immediately suspended. The FAA issued a ground stop, halting all flights until at least 5 a.m. Thursday.
Initially, the airport was expected to remain closed until 11 p.m., but authorities extended the closure due to the ongoing investigation and rescue operations.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, with assistance from the FAA. The FBI’s Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad is also involved but has stated there is no indication of criminal or terrorist activity at this time.
American Airlines acknowledged the incident in a statement:
“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.”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed her concern on social media, stating:
“Our prayers are with everyone involved, and we will continue to keep the public updated as more information becomes available.”
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation, according to the White House.
The Air and Space Forces Association urged the public to avoid speculation, stating:
“We ask the public to keep the families in your thoughts and respect efforts to get information to loved ones first as everyone clings to hope for survivors.”
Authorities continue searching for survivors and recovering victims. Given the frigid water temperature of approximately 37°F, concerns about hypothermia and survival times are urgent.
Emergency teams remain on high alert as efforts continue through the night. Updates on casualties, survivors, and the investigation will be provided as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: Search efforts have been suspended following the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, marking another tragic loss for the city’s historic fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted early Friday morning by the vessel’s emergency beacon after it activated in the water; no mayday call was received.
Responders located a debris field, an unoccupied life raft, and one deceased individual in the water.
Six other crew members remain missing and are presumed lost after an extensive air and sea search yielded no additional results.
The Coast Guard cited frigid water temperatures, challenging weather conditions, and the vast search area in its decision to suspend operations.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Authorities have identified all seven individuals who lost their lives after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, early Friday morning, marking a devastating loss for Gloucester’s historic fishing community.
The Lily Jean, a commercial fishing vessel measuring between 72 and 80 feet in length and homeported in Gloucester—the nation’s oldest working fishing port—activated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday while returning to port.
No mayday call was received, and subsequent attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and multiple surface assets to the area of the distress signal.
Crews located a debris field and an unoccupied life raft roughly 25 miles offshore near the EPIRB activation site, confirming the vessel had sunk to the ocean floor. One deceased individual was recovered from the water.
The remaining six crew members were later presumed lost after extensive search efforts yielded no additional results.
Officials confirmed that seven people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, revising earlier reports that indicated six.
The seven individuals who perished aboard the Lily Jean are:
- John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Salem/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Sean Therrien, 44, of Lynn/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Freeman Short, of the Marshfield/Scituate area
- Captain Gus Sanfilippo, a well-known and respected Gloucester fisherman
- Paul Beal Sr., deckhand
- Paul Beal Jr., deckhand and son of Paul Beal Sr.
- Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia
Jada Samitt, the seventh crew member identified, was serving aboard the vessel in the role of a federal fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She had recently relocated to Massachusetts to pursue her passion for environmental biology, graduating last year. Family members said joining the Lily Jean crew was her first major professional role at sea and a lifelong dream.
Her aunt, Heather Michaels, described Samitt as a compassionate and driven young woman who deeply respected her captain and dedicated herself fully to her work. “She put her heart and soul into this opportunity,” family members said, noting her commitment to marine conservation and the fishing community.
Officials said the Lily Jean had reported taking on water shortly before contact was lost.
The vessel is now presumed fully submerged.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Gloucester’s close-knit maritime community.
Ashley Sullivan, a local business owner who knew the vessel’s owner, emphasized the daily risks faced by commercial fishermen. “I hope people really take a moment to understand the sacrifices these men and women make to put food on our tables,” she said. “This is heartbreaking.”
Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr also expressed condolences, highlighting Gloucester’s deep fishing heritage. “Gloucester has a long fishing history, and that history includes tragic loss,” Tarr said. “It appears we are experiencing another of those painful chapters.”
Governor Maura Healey released a statement saying she was “heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester,” adding that her administration has offered full assistance to local officials and the Coast Guard. She extended prayers to the victims’ families and the broader fishing community across Cape Ann and the Commonwealth.
Community members and local businesses have continued to share messages of remembrance and solidarity. Taylor Hunt, a relative of Freeman Short, posted a tribute honoring the crew, writing in part: “The salt has been in our blood for generations… A man is not lost while the sea remembers his name. Fair winds and following seas.”
The Lily Jean had previously been featured on the History Channel series Nor’Easter Men, which documented the dangers and demands of New England’s commercial fishing industry.
While search operations have concluded, the Coast Guard and relevant agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Officials have stated that further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.
Authorities have urged the public to keep the victims’ families and Gloucester’s fishing community in their thoughts and prayers during this period of profound loss.