Potomac Crash

Is DCA open? What travelers should know about Reagan National Airport after crash

Here are all the details about the Washington-area airport after Wednesday's crash.

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News4 Investigative Reporter Ted Oberg reports on what we know about the plane involved in the air disaster near Reagan National Airport, which operates in some of the busiest airspace in the nation.

After an American Airlines flight with 64 people aboard collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter over the Potomac River, many flights and travel plans have been impacted at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The crash, which occurred Wednesday night, is feared to have killed everyone aboard, officials said Thursday.

How did the crash impact the airport? Is it open for travel again? And how safe is it to fly out of DCA?

Here are all the details about the Arlington, Virginia, airport:

Is DCA open?

Yes, DCA is fully open as of 11 a.m. ET Thursday.

However, passengers should expect two of the three runways to remain closed for a week, Terry Liercke, vice president and manager of the airport, said during a Friday afternoon news conference. Liercke said officials will reassess the situation Monday, calling it a fluid situation.

Are there delays at DCA? Are flights still being canceled?

Despite the closure of two runways, officials say the airport is operating normally. However, passengers should check with their airlines for delays or cancellations.

The airport has had 182 delays and 124 cancelations Friday, as of late afternoon, according to FlightAware. You can also find updates on flights can at DCA’s website.

How long was DCA closed after the crash?

DCA was closed for about 14 hours due to the crash, which took place just before 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday. During that time, no planes departed from or arrived at Reagan National.

When did DCA reopen after the crash?

Airport roads and terminals reopened Thursday morning before the airport became fully operational at 11 a.m. ET that day.

The first flight to depart from the airport Thursday took off for Nashville at 11:01 a.m. The first arrival at DCA, also from Nashville, landed Thursday at 11:16 a.m.

Is DCA safe after the crash?

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority president Jack Potter said Reagan National Airport is safe before announcing reopening plans.

“It’s safe,” Potter said. “We’ve worked with all the federal agencies, FAA, and, you know, it’s been determined that we’ve opened that airport safely.”

‘That could have been us': Traveler at DCA describes being so close to tragic accident
A woman who was stuck on the tarmac when a military helicopter collided with a passenger plane in Washington, D.C., describes what was going through her head.

What about helicopter traffic around DCA?

The Federal Aviation Administration will restrict helicopter traffic around Reagan National Airport, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday.

"Today's decision will immediately help secure the airspace near Reagan Airport, ensuring the safety of airplane and helicopter traffic," Duffy wrote Friday in a post on X. "The American people deserve full confidence in our aviation system and today's action is a significant step towards restoring that trust."

The restricted area includes the Memorial Bridge to the South Capitol Street Bridge, excluding the Tidal Basin; Haines Point to Wilson Bridge; and the airspace above the airport, Duffy said.

National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman said at a briefing Thursday afternoon that helicopters operate in zones, or tracks, in Washington.

"This one was transitioning from track one to four as part of their normal procedure," Inman said. "If you live in D.C., you see a lot of helicopters going down into this area. So there's a very well-defined system."

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