On January 29, 2025, a mid-air collision occurred near Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C., when a helicopter crashed into an American Airlines jet operated by PSA Airlines as Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the Capital. The collision, which happened around 9 p.m. local time as the plane was approaching the runway, led to a massive explosion and both aircraft fell into the Potomac River.
News outlets released videos of the incident, sparking widespread discussion and confusion among netizens. Many expressed shock and disbelief over how such a collision could take place at a relatively low altitude, questioning whether air traffic control was monitoring the paths properly and if the pilots had the necessary equipment. Some even suspected that the incident might have been intentional, with comments like “That’s weird because it looks like the helicopter rammed the jet!”