An American Airlines passenger jet has crashed into a military helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport in Washington.
Emergency services in the city are searching the Potomac River near the airport following the incident just before 9pm on Wednesday night.
Law enforcement sources have told CNN that there are confirmed fatalities and that no survivors have yet been rescued.
CBS meanwhile have reported that the bodies of 18 people have been recovered, and that divers are exploring three debris fields.
The airline has confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crews members onboard Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the Capital when the collision happened.
The plane is said to have split in two and is in around seven feet of water, while the helicopter is upside down and is unstable, according to the outlet.
Images captured at the scene show emergency officials on boats around what appears to be part of the fuselage and a wing jutting out of the river.
The Federal Aviation Authority said that the jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Runway 33.
Defense officials have confirmed that the Black Hawk was an Army chopper that was carrying three soldiers at the time who were on a training flight.
Surveillance footage taken from inside the airport also captured the moment the two collided in midair
Emergency response units assess airplane wreckage in the Potomac River
The Federal Aviation Authority said that the jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Runway 33
The plane was being operated as an American Eagle Flight by PSA Airlines for its parent carrier American Airlines
An American Eagle, operated by PSA Airlines, a CRJ-700 aircraft arrives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 22, 2025 in Arlington
The plane was being operated as an American Eagle Flight by PSA Airlines for its parent carrier American Airlines.
In audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, a controller is heard asking the helicopter, ‘PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,’ in reference to the passenger aircraft.
‘Tower, did you see that?’ another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision. The tower immediately began diverting other aircraft from Reagan.
At a press conference, officials could not give any further information on casualties and could not confirmed whether any bodies had been recovered.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy did say that the Federal Aviation Administration would study the crash and look at possibly changing flight paths around Reagan National.
Officials said there were 300 first responders out working in ‘complex and extremely rough’ conditions, citing ice still in the cold water.
The airport said in a post to X: ‘All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update.’
Images taken at the scene show scores of emergency service teams along the riverside.
Footage has also emerged online of helicopters with search lights passing over the Potomac River.
Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball.
Surveillance footage taken from inside the airport also captured the moment the two collided in midair.
Defense officials have confirmed that the Black Hawk was an Army chopper that was carrying three soldiers at the time who were on a training flight
Defense officials have confirmed that the Black Hawk was an Army chopper that was carrying three soldiers at the time
A search and rescue boat operates along the Potomac River near the site of the crash after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a helicopter
Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball
The plane is said to have split in two and is in around seven feet of water, while the helicopter is upside down and is unstable
Lights from emergency vehicles are seen at Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, after an air crash near the Potomac Rive
Emergency equipment stages at Gravelly Point, north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, along the Potomac River, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
Flightradar tracking data shows the final approach of the flight as it crosses over the Potomac, before it cuts out.
NBC Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said that at the time of the incident the water temperature in the river was around 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kammerer said that at that temperature someone in the water has only 15 to 20 minutes before they start suffering from hypothermia.
Hamaad Ramza spoke with WUSA on Wednesday evening and revealed that his wife had been on the plane when it crashed.
He said: ‘I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now as we speak. I’m just praying to God.’
As the rescue mission continued, a small crowd gathered silently on the west bank of the Potomac River at Daingerfield Island in Virginia.
They watched as three helicopters shone spotlights on the black water scouring for survivors.
There was a small debris field on the water and a boat, and it was believed divers had gone in.
Vast numbers of emergency vehicles were gathered on the east bank of the river, on the Washington D.C. side, their lights illuminating the Capitol building and the Washington Monument
Rescue boats work the scene on the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Arlington
Boats work the scene on the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
Vast numbers of emergency vehicles were gathered on the east bank of the river, on the Washington D.C. side, their lights illuminating the Capitol building and the Washington Monument.
More emergency vehicles waited on the end of the airport runway to the north of where the crash happened. Police vehicles closed off roads accessing the airport building, which was virtually empty.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall posted to his X saying: ‘Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare.
‘A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter.
‘My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.
‘There are no words that can make telling this story any easier. I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident.
‘I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.’
The White House has also confirmed the nature of the crash, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirming live on air that President Trump had been made aware of the crash.
Trump said in a statement: ‘I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls.
‘Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.’
Emergency services in Washington DC said that a small aircraft had crashed in the Potomac River near the Reagan National Airport, seen here
Emergency services in the city are searching the Potomac River near the airport following the incident just before 9pm on Wednesday night
American Airlines said in a statement: ‘We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.’
In a post to X, Vice President JD Vance said: ‘Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening.
‘We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.’
An FAA statement said: ‘A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time.
‘PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.’
DailyMail.com has approached the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for more information.
American Airlines has asked that anybody that believes they had loved ones on the flight to call 800-679-8215.
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