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A major search and rescue operation is under way after a passenger plane with 64 people on board collided with a helicopter carrying three US Army personnel over Washington DC and crashed into a river.
The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet arriving in the city from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter in midair just before 9pm (US Eastern Time).
The plane was on approach to the runway at Reagan Airport at the time.
WHAT WE KNOW: Washington DC plane crash
The airline told CNN that 60 people and four crew had been on board at the time of the crash.
The US Army Black Hawk helicopter had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, according to a US defence official.
The helicopter was on a training flight at the time of the incident.
A law enforcement source told CNN there are confirmed fatalities, and that rescuers have not yet pulled any survivors from the water.
The source told CNN the plane is in pieces in the water and the helicopter is in the water nearby.
Search and rescue operation under way
DC Police said the plane crashed in the near-freezing waters of the Potomac River.
"A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after aircraft crash," police said.
Dozens of firefighters and police are engaged in dive operations at the site of the plane crash in the Potomac River.
"Search and rescue efforts are underway in the Potomac River," Edward Kelly, the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters said on X.
"They're doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety. Our prayers are with everyone affected," he said.
READ MORE: The recent history of plane crashes in the US
American Airlines flight 5342 was inbound to Reagan National at an altitude of about 120 metres and a speed of about 225km/h when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, according to data from its radio transponder.
The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet was manufactured in 2004 and can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers.
The FAA, the Federal Aviation Agency said that the jet collided with the helicopter in mid-air.
"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 9pm local time," the FAA said in a statement.
"PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas."
Fireboats are on the scene to assist with the search and rescue.
Air Traffic Control hailed Black Hawk
A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National and the pilots said they were able.
Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway.
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asks the helicopter if it has the arriving plane in sight.
The controller makes another radio call to the helicopter moments later: "PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ."
Seconds after that the two aircraft collide.
"Tower did you see that?" another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision.
The tower immediately began diverting other aircraft from Reagan.
https://x.com/AmericanAir/status/1884798791854747869
The crash has halted all takeoffs and landings from Ronald Reagan International Airport.
"Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield," a statement from the airport on X read.
"The terminal remains open. Will update."
American Airlines has issued a hotline for family members and loved ones.
Trump briefed
US President Donald Trump said he has been fully briefed on the "terrible accident".
"May God bless their souls," he said in a statement.
"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."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said federal and local agencies had sprung into action.
"There are many agencies that are working on this response right now, both federal and local law enforcement are working together on the ground, to try to save as many lives as possible, and the President will continue to monitor this situation," she said.
"The thoughts and prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those involved."
Vice President JD Vance called on the nation to unite in prayer as the administration monitors the situation.
"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," Vance wrote on a social media post on X.
https://x.com/JDVance/status/1884800885747777733
Both senators from Kansas issued statements after the crash.
"Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA," Senator Jerry Moran wrote on X.
"I am in contact with authorities.
"Please join me in praying for all involved."
Kansas's other senator Roger Marshall added the inbound flight was from the city of Wichita.
The newly sworn-in US secretary of Transport said he was monitoring developments from the FAA headquarters in DC.
Sean Duffy was sworn into the role just a few hours ago.
"I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation," Duffy posted on X.
Freezing conditions in water
Water temperatures in the Potomac River are currently just above freezing at two degrees Celsius, the US National Weather Service said.
"Cold shock can cause an immediate panic, fear or stress reaction that then impairs clear thinking and decision making," the weather service cautioned.
These reactions, coupled with a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, can heighten the risk of heart failure or stroke, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
The incident recalled the crash of an Air Florida flight that plummeted into the Potomac on January 13, 1982, that killed 78 people.
That crash was attributed to bad weather.
The last fatal crash involving a US commercial airline occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York.
Everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane was killed, including 45 passengers, two pilots and two flight attendants.
Another person on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 50.
An investigation determined that the captain accidentally caused the plane to stall as it approached the airport in Buffalo.
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