DCA Midair Collision: 67 Lives Lost — What Went Wrong

On January 29, 2025, PSA Flight 5342 was just 30 seconds from landing at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) when it collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. All 67 people on board both aircraft lost their lives. In this video, Captain Steeeve walks through exactly what happened: the circling approach to Runway 33, the helicopter transiting Class B airspace, repeated traffic advisories from the tower, and the final moments before impact. We also discuss why the commercial jet could not see the helicopter, even though the helicopter could see the jet. Captain Steeeve is joined by Congressman Troy Nehls to discuss congressional oversight, the national shortage of air traffic controllers, and serious concerns surrounding Section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act, which allows the Pentagon to issue its own waivers to aviation safety requirements. We also break down the Rotor Act legislation, which would require ADS-B In and Out on all helicopters, limit helicopter training in Class B airspace around major airports, and ensure pilots and controllers are operating with shared situational awareness. This episode is about accountability, technology, and remembering the human cost behind aviation policy decisions — including the story of Samuel Walter Lilly, one of the 67 victims, whose memory now serves as a reminder of why safety must always come first. For business inquiries email us at: [email protected] For press or general questions: [email protected] Disclaimer: Captain Steeeve is not a spokesperson for any airline or aviation authority. The opinions expressed in this video are solely his own and are based on his experience as a professional pilot. This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an official statement from any airline, regulatory agency, or aviation organization. Want to know what watch I'm wearing? If you are from the US, visit Watchbuys.com and go to the PRIMUS collection under Hanhart. For everyone else, visit https://www.hanhart.com/en/. #captainsteeeve #dca #aviationsafety #aviationaccident #atc #airtrafficcontrol #adsb #Rotoract #flightsafety #aviationnews #NeverAgain