Disturbing new footage, worrying claims emerge on fatal crash

Chilling new footage shows the moment of impact in the Washington DC crash, as fresh claims emerge over what may have contributed to the accident. See video. Warning: Graphic.

Chilling new videos have given the clearest view yet of the moment the American Airlines passenger plane and Army helicopter exploded into pieces — sending huge chunks of fiery debris crashing into the frigid water below.

The mobile phone footage, obtained by CNN, provides the clearest angle seen so far of the tragic midair collision in Washington, DC, which killed 67 people in America’s deadliest aviation disaster since 2001.

That footage emerged alongside claims that questionable hiring polices implemented by the US Federal Aviation Authority may have played a role in the fatal crash.

Chilling new footage has shown the moment a Black Hawk helicopter flew directly into the path of an American Airlines passenger jet killing everyone on board. Picture: Supplied

The helicopter and plane break up on impact, plunging into the water below. Picture: Supplied

The footage shows the Black Hawk helicopter’s red tail lights flashing as it flies directly toward the passenger jet approaching the runway at Ronald Reagan National Airport at about 9pm Wednesday (1pm AEDT Thursday).

New DC plane crash videos obtained by CNN. pic.twitter.com/ltp10nzj5H

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 31, 2025

The crash occurred when American Airlines Flight 5342, travelling from Wichita, Kansas, collided with an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter just 400 feet above the iconic waterway in Washington, DC.

The Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, which had 60 passengers and four crew on-board exploded in a fireball and broke into three pieces. Three soldiers on the chopper were also killed.

Chilling new videos give clearest view yet of DC plane crash — and debris falling into river after fireball https://t.co/3K2iOTTjispic.twitter.com/qvJJbbLXyK

— New York Post (@nypost) January 31, 2025

The collision sparked a huge fireball, with large sections of the plane plunging into the icy Potomac River, where it was later found in three pieces.

Remnants of the helicopter, which was carrying three soldiers, also spiralled downwards with its flashing lights still visible, the chilling footage shows.

The footage emerged as investigators and crews continued recovery efforts to find the bodies of the remaining victims from the water.

As of Saturday morning AEDT, 41 bodies had been recovered with 26 still missing.

Fresh from recovering the black boxes from the American Airlines plane, divers were also aiming to salvage the remnants of both aircraft, officials said.

It comes as Donald Trump claimed on Friday the accident was caused by the helicopter “flying too high” despite having yet to determine a reason for the collision.

The Coast Guard investigates the crash site. Picture: Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles/ U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images

“The Blackhawk helicopter was flying too high, by a lot. It was far above the 200 foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???” Mr Trump said on Truth Social early Saturday AEDT.

It is unusual for a President to weigh in like this, especially on social media, and suggest the cause of the collision, when officials have not yet revealed the cause of the deadly collision and the crash remains under investigation by federal transportation authorities.

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