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.
NBC Washington are reporting that there was around 60 people on Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the Capital when the collision happened.
The Federal Aviation Authority said that the jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, collided with a Sikorksy H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Runway 33.
In a statement, DC Police said: ‘At 8:53pm, multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.
‘DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.
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.
Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball
Fireboats are currently on the scene scouring the river, with details of the crash including the cause and how many people were onboard still unknown
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.
Flightradar tracking data shows the final approach of the flight as it crosses over the Potomac, before it cuts out.
DailyMail.com has approached the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for more information.
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.’
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall posted to his X saying: ‘I’ve seen the reports of a collision with a D.C. helicopter and an inbound flight from Wichita, KS.
‘We are in contact with authorities working to get answers. We ask you to join us in prayer for every single passenger and their families.’
Lights from emergency vehicles are seen at Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, after an air crash near the Potomac Rive
Emergency services in Washington DC said that a small aircraft had crashed in the Potomac River near the Reagan National Airport, seen here
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.
Leavitt said: ‘The thoughts and prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved.
‘We ask for the public in this area to please standby for guidance from law enforcement as they attempt to save lives right now.’
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.’
