Woman Whose Flight Was About to Take Off for D.C. Describes 'Heartbreaking' Moment They Found Out About the Crash (Exclusive)

The tragic collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport has left the nation in shock. As news began breaking on Wednesday night, Jan. 29, and flights were grounded in and out of the D.C. airport, ripples were felt all around the country.

Among those learning of the crash almost instantly was Maddy Mae Dickinson, a traveler who was preparing to fly to Washington, D.C., from Florida when she learned of the crash. Her experience was shared on TikTok as she and those around her processed the news.

“Was sitting on a plane in Orlando about to go to D.C but then a plane crashed so now everyone is shocked and heartbroken for the lives lost,” Dickinson shares in her TikTok clip.

Dickinson, who is from the D.C. area, recalls the moment she found out about the tragedy.

“I was sitting on my flight to DCA when I first heard about the crash,” she exclusively tells PEOPLE. “We were sitting on the tarmac about to take off when the pilot told us on the overhead speaker that a plane had hit a helicopter and fell into the Potomac River.”

Related: American Airlines CEO Says 'We Don't Know Why' Black Hawk Helicopter 'Came into the Path' of Plane

The news sent shockwaves through the cabin as passengers struggled to process the information. “I think everyone on the flight was in complete shock,” Dickinson recalls. “Once we began finding out more information, it was completely heartbreaking.”

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The collision occurred during the final approach to Reagan National Airport. The commercial plane was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members while the Army helicopter had three personnel on board.

For Dickinson and her fellow passengers, the proximity to the tragedy was chilling. “Our flight was canceled for the night and rescheduled to fly out to Baltimore/Washington International Airport this morning,” she explains. “It hurts my heart to think of all the people on that flight, especially knowing that we were about to fly into that exact airport. It is terrifying.”

Being from the area, Dickinson has had plenty of experience flying into Reagan, recalling the stunning view of the D.C. skyline as people fly over the Potomac River. Now, the view has taken on a haunting significance in light of the crash, she says.

Related: 14 U.S. Figure Skaters Among Those Killed in American Airlines Plane Crash, Including at Least 2 Teenagers

“The special thing about flying into DCA is that everyone knows the plane is about to land when you look out the window and fly over the Potomac River,” Dickinson reflects. “So to think of those passengers opening their windows looking at the D.C. skyline expecting to land in a couple minutes, only for that to happen … is just heartbreaking.”

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