Watch: Desperate husband reveals last words from wife before US plane crash, prays 'someone is pulling her out of the river'

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a US Army Sikorsky H-60 helicopter collided in midair near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed. The crash occurred at approximately 9 p.m. local time over the Potomac River while the aircraft were on approach to Runway 33 at the airport.

The PSA flight, operating as American Eagle Flight 5342, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, earlier in the evening. The aircraft was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the accident.

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Washington Plane Crash: Relative’s Desperate Plea for Survivors

Hamaad Raza, whose wife was on board the American Airlines-operated flight, expressed his distress while waiting at the airport. Speaking to CNN affiliate WUSA9, he said, “I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now as we speak.”


Raza recounted the last message he received from his wife, sent just before the expected landing. “She texted me that they were landing in 20 minutes,” he said. However, when he attempted to respond, his messages were not delivered. “That was when I realised that something could be wrong,” he added.

A video circulating on social media captured Raza’s emotional plea: “I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now.”

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Washington Plane Crash: American Airlines Responds to the Incident

In a statement released following the collision, American Airlines CEO Robert confirmed the involvement of Flight 5342 and assured full cooperation with the authorities. “Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”

The airline later issued an official statement, saying, “American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”

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The midair collision involved a Sikorsky H-60, a military helicopter commonly used by the US Army for transport and rescue operations. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with aviation authorities working to determine how the two aircraft came into conflict during approach.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the crash site, with efforts ongoing to locate survivors and assess the extent of the damage. Officials have not yet confirmed casualties or injuries. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

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