A passenger plane with 64 people on board has collided with a helicopter over Washington DC, with fears of casualties.
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.
The plane was on approach to the runway at Reagan Airport at the time.
The airline told CNN that 60 people and four crew had been on board at the time of the crash.
DC Police announced the plane crashed in the Potomac River.
“A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after aircraft crash,” police said.
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 9 p.m. 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.
The crash has halted all takeoffs and landings from Ronald Reagan International Airport.
There are no confirmed reports about casualties.
“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 confirmed that a flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington DC had been involved in an accident.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation.
“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.
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.
