A regional passenger jet with 64 onboard has collided with a military helicopter before crashing into the Potomac river while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington national airport on Wednesday night.
The American Airlines flight, operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle Flight 5342, had flown from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter that was on a training flight.
Dozens of firefighters were “engaged in dive operations” on the Potomac river, Edward Kelly, the general president of the international association of firefighters, said, with bodies reportedly pulled from the water and no survivors being immediately found. US senator Ted Cruz said “we know there are fatalities” but did not provide further details.
The helicopter was believed to be carrying three soldiers, with no senior army officials onboard. The Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash was based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
All takeoffs and landings have been halted until Thursday morning at the airport while the rescue operation is underway.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services. He later said on social media that the crash “should have been prevented”.
American Airlines has set up a phone line for relatives who believe they may have lost ones one on board.