A jet carrying 64 passengers collided with a US Army helicopter mid-air.
Currently, 19 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River. Searches continue from the search crews in the freezing water.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has grounded all of it’s flights, as authorities proceed to investigate the incident.
American Airlines 5324 flight collided mid-air with a US Army Helicopter at around 15:00 local time on Wednesday. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash happened while the passenger jet was on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The flight carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members departed from Wichita, Kansas.
The aircraft was a Bombardier CRJ 700 jet.
The US Army helicopter involved was a Sikorsky H-60, which departed from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
The Pentagon announced there were three US Soldier on board.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said. Another official said it was on a training flight, and it belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would conduct an investigation into the incident in collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
During the press conference in Washington DC , officials have rejected to confirm the casualties.
Washington DC Fire and Emergency Services Chief John Donnelly said there are around 300 responders which have been deployed on rubber boats in the rescue operation.
There are challenges in the rescue operation, high wind speeds and ice on the river is causing for the operation to be challenging.
Initial reports from United States media indicated that the passenger aircraft appeared to be severed in two on the Potomac River, while the helicopter was found inverted in the water.
The US Figure Skating announced couple of their members were on the flight, athletes, coaches and members were returning to Kansas from a development camp.
President Donald Trump stated that he had received comprehensive updates regarding the “tragic incident” and that he was keeping a close watch on the developments.
On his TruthSocial account, he has expressed concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, stating: “This is a troubling situation that appears to have been avoidable. NOT GOOD!!!”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, whose recent confirmations have taken place, also indicated that they are keeping a close watch on the situation.
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