After viewing video footage of the Washington plane crash, netizens are confused about how such a collision could take place, with some expressing their belief that something is amiss.
News outlets have released videos capturing the moment a helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet near Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. The widely discussed posts come after the FAA released a statement concerning what happened.
A video shared by the Daily Mail on TikTok shows the mid-air collision, where the airplane was approaching the airport when the helicopter, flying directly opposite the plane, crashed into it, triggering a massive explosion.
From the camera’s vantage point, the crash appeared as a flash of light before plumes of smoke rose and both the plane and helicopter fell into the Potomac River.
According to the accompanying caption penned by Daily Mail, “The airline has confirmed that there was 60 passengers and four crews members onboard Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the Capital when the collision happened [sic].”
The outlet also mentioned, “NBC Washington are [sic] reporting that at least four people have been pulled from the water by rescue crews as dive teams survey the crash site.”
Additionally, first responders are searching the Potomac River near the airport. Upon seeing the footage from Daily Mail, many netizens flocked to comment sections, sharing their reactions to what happened.
“As a pilot, I’m shocked this happened. You have controllers that are meant to avoid this, & there’s less [sic] collisions actually at night cause of the anti-collision lights on each aircraft. :/,” asserted a TikToker.
Many social media users echoed similar confusion over how the collision occurred. “this [sic] is so strange…” penned a person, while another expressed, “No no this makes no sense on so many levels….A collision on this level at such a low altitude…??? You’re telling me air traffic control was not monitoring their path? Did the pilots have nah [sic] gear????”
