A passenger plane and a military helicopter crashed in the air at Ronald Reagan National Airport, resulting in a significant emergency response and the suspension of all airport operations.
According to Al Jazeera, the incident happened about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The plane involved were a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 flying as an American Airlines flight and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The passenger plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military chopper carried three personnel.
Al Jazeera reported an “enormous response” on the scene, which included emergency cars and boats.
“This is the main local airport serving the Washington DC, metropolitan area. We believe that both aircraft are in the river, which is of enormous concern. We were told that, at best, someone could survive about an hour and a half in this water.”
Authorities have yet to release official information on casualties.
Video video published on social media appears to capture the moment of impact, followed by an explosion.
According to reports, an air traffic controller instructed the helicopter to pass behind the oncoming air plane just moments before the crash.
Government authorities, including President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have been briefed about the situation.
Trump remarked that he had been “fully briefed” on the “terrible accident.”.
Senator Ted Cruz verified the killings but did not disclose particular statistics.
The FAA has confirmed that Ronald Reagan National Airport would remain closed until at least 5 a.m. on Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Defence are investigating the cause of the crash.
If confirmed, this is the first fatal incident involving a US commercial airline since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York, resulting in 49 fatalities.
Ronald Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to Washington DC, and a key hub for domestic travel.
