A U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger plane carrying 64 passengers and crew collided in midair, causing the plane to crash into a river in Washington, DC.
According to reports, search and rescue teams are searching the waters of the Potomac River in frigid temperatures and have already removed 18 dead from the river.
All planes at the neighboring Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have been halted as US officials conduct an investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports that a PSA Airlines aircraft, flying as American Airlines 5432, struck a US Army helicopter as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday at approximately 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT).
According to American Airlines, the Bombardier CRJ700 passenger plane, which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, took off from Wichita, Kansas.
According to the Pentagon, the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter that was involved took off from Virginia’s Fort Belvoir. According to CBS, there were three US servicemen on board. Together with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FAA said that it would look into the event.
Official information on victims has not been released. But according to CBS, 18 bodies have been recovered from the water.
According to early US media accounts, the helicopter was upside down in the water and the passenger plane was seen on the Potomac River, cut in half.
According to CBS News, police boats have been helping the police and fire department search the water for survivors in the bitter cold.
Ronald Reagan Airport, which is close to the river, provided a view of the search and rescue.
President Donald Trump has been briefed about the “terrible accident” and he further stated that he was keeping a careful eye on the issue.
“May God Bless their souls,” he added in a media release.
“Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders,” he stated.
JD Vance, the vice president, requested prayers for the people involved in the event.
The newly confirmed selections of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth both stated they were keeping an eye on the matter.
In a video that was uploaded to the airline’s website, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom conveyed his “deep sorrow” about the incident.
See video of the plane crash