What a Black Hawk helicopter is, and what we know about its involvement in Washington crash

This morning, news has been coming in about a tragic plane crash in Washington. The collision included a passenger plane, and a Black Hawk helicopter.

The crash happened on Wednesday night (29th) over the Potomac River, at around 9pm. American Eagle Flight No. 5342 was carrying 60 passengers and four members of crew at the time of collision, and it is feared all are now dead.

“The accident happened in the river,” a dispatcher said in audio obtained by CBS News. “Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river.” Here’s what we know about the Black Hawk helicopter involved, and who was on it at the time.

What is a Black Hawk helicopter?

A Black Hawk helicopter in Sydney in 2024, via DEAN LEWINS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The helicopter involved in the crash was a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk. This is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter. According to manufacturers Lockheed Martin, the Black Hawk is used for all types of “crucial missions” from air assault to emergency response. The aircraft has before been trusted to transport Presidents around.

Sikorsky has built more than 5,000 Hawk aircraft for 36 nations worldwide. “When the mission is on the line, there’s one helicopter that’s consistently called upon to deliver,” the manufacturers say.

What was the helicopter doing when it crashed in Washington and who was on board?

Search and rescue operation for American Eagle regional jet in Washington, via Ken Cedeno/UPI/Shutterstock

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The Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision was on a training flight. Three soldiers were on the military aircraft at the time of the crash, but nothing else has been reported about their identities.

It has most recently been reported that 30 bodies have been recovered from the river. It is feared all those on board the helicopter and the plane may be dead. Earlier local media reports claimed four people had been found alive, but DC fire chief John Donnelly said at a press conference: “We don’t know if there are survivors, but we are working on it.”

This story will be updated as more is known. For updates, follow The Tab. Featured image via DEAN LEWINS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock and Ken Cedeno/UPI/Shutterstock.