A horrific crash between an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter has ignited a massive search and rescue operation, with dive teams searching the Potomac River for survivors.
Flight 5342, which originated in Wichita, Kansas, was landing at Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington DC when it collided with the Sikorksy H-60 Black Hawk helicopter just before 9pm.
The helicopter was carrying three soldiers at the time, a US Department of Defense official told CNN.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department said it is working with the DC Fire Department and emergency responders to coordinate a ‘search and rescue operation in the Potomac River.’
Multiple fatalities were reported, and NBC Washington says that at least four people had to be pulled to safety by rescue crews.
The crash prompted officials at the international airport to halt all flights as the rescue efforts continue.
Meanwhile, officials within the Trump administration have said they are monitoring the situation, and newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on social media that he is at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters.
DailyMail.com breaks down everything to know about the horrific crash.
Flight 5342, which originated in Wichita, Kansas , was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC when it collided with the Sikorksy H-60 Black Hawk helicopter just before 9pm
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department said it is working with the DC Fire Department and emergency responders to coordinate a ‘search and rescue operation in the Potomac River’
How many people were onboard the aircrafts?
American Airlines has confirmed there were 60 people onboard Flight 5432, which was also carrying four crew members when it crashed.
The Bombardier CRJ700 could have had up to 65 passengers, however, according to the American Airlines website.
‘Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,’ the airline said in a statement.
‘We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.’
It then urged anyone who believes their family may have been on the flight to call the airline’s toll-free phone number.
Defense officials, meanwhile, have said there were three soldiers onboard the military helicopter, which senior Army officials often use for transport around the nation’s capitol.
Where did the aircrafts originate from?
American Airlines Flight 5342 departed from Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport at 5.18pm and was scheduled to land at Reagan International at 9.03pm, according to tracking information from the airline.
The Black Hawk helicopter had originated from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
It was on a training flight at the time.
The crash prompted officials at Reagan International Airport to halt all flights as the rescue efforts continue
What happened?
The American Airlines plane was on its final approach to Runway 33 at Reagan International Airport and was at an altitude of about 300 feet when the collision happened.
In audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, a controller is heard asking the helicopter, ‘PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,’ in reference to the passenger aircraft.
‘Tower, did you see that?’ another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision.
The impact of the crash is said to have split the plane in half, and caused it to plummet into the Potomac River.
The Black Hawk was also left upside down and unstable.
Were there any fatalities?
Law enforcement sources have told CNN that there are confirmed fatalities and that no survivors have yet been rescued.
CBS meanwhile have reported that the bodies of 18 people have been recovered, and that divers are exploring three debris fields.
Emergency officials are scouring the Potomac River for any survivors
What did witnesses see?
One eyewitness told NBC News he saw what looked like a plane about 120 to 150 feet in the air preparing to land.
But when Ari Schulman looked back moments later, he said, ‘it looked very, very wrong.
‘It looked like a giant Roman candle, sparks shooting from the head of the plane down to the tail.
‘I saw that for about two seconds.’
Ray Best, a federal employee, also told CNN he heard ‘a loud noise.’
‘So I turned to the side and I saw a big spark, and then just something falling,’ he said.
‘Because it was kind of dark, [I] couldn’t really tell what it was. I didn’t know if it was [a] firecracker or what.’
Abadi Ismail similarly said he heard ‘two unusual bangs, something I’ve never heard of,’ describing the sound as ‘like a warzone.’
He said he then rushed to his window, but said he could not see anything ‘but a little bit of smoke.’
Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center also showed two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball.
Local, state and national authorities have mobilized resources to assist with search and rescue efforts
What has American Airlines said about the crash?
In a video posted to social media Wednesday night, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom issued a heartfelt message to family members whose loved ones were onboard Flight 5342.
‘First and most importantly, I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events,’ Isom said in a video posted to social media.
‘This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines and our efforts now are entirely focused on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones,’ he continued.
‘I know that there are many questions and at this early stage, I will not be able to answer all of them, but I do want to share the information I have at this time.’
Isom said the airline is now working with local, state and federal authorities on their emergency response efforts, and American Airlines has even deployed its Care Team to ‘assist our passengers and their families.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has issued a heartfelt message to family members whose loved ones were onboard a passenger flight that crashed with a military helicopter Wednesday night
‘We are cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation and will continue to provide all the information we can,’ he said.
‘Our cooperation is without pause and we want to learn everything we can about today’s events,’ Isom continued.
‘That work will take time, but anything we can do now, we’re doing, and right now, that means focusing on all passengers and crew involved, as well as their families.’
Isom also said airline employees ‘will be on their way to Washington DC and I’ll be heading there shortly as well.
‘We know that many people will be concerned for the welfare of their loved ones, and we set up a special helpline friends and family can call at 1 (800) 679 – 8215.
‘We understand and appreciate that people are eager for information,’ the CEO concluded. ‘Please know that we’ll share accurate and timely information as soon as we can, but anything we report must be accurate. We owe that to everyone involved.
‘Our team of highly trained professionals will be working around the clock to support our passengers, crew and their families how ever we can and we will update you as soon as we can,’ he vowed.
What is being done to find the passengers?
Local, state and national authorities have mobilized resources to assist with search and rescue efforts.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that first responders from across northern Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland ‘mobilized quickly’ to help find victims, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the Maryland State Police have deployed divers to the scene.
He added that the state’s Department of Emergency Management also raised its Emergency Operations Center to ‘Enhanced.’
At the federal level, the FBI is assisting the local agencies, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the US Coast Guard is ‘deploying every available … resources for search and rescue operations.
‘We are actively monitoring the situation, and stand ready to support local responders,’ she said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also noted that the Department of Defense is ‘poised to assist if needed.’
The general manager of Washington’s transit authority also announced that it has deployed warming buses for any survivors who are retrieved from the icy waters.
The Black Hawk helicopter had originated from Fort Belvoir, Virginia
How likely are the passengers to survive?
NBC Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer has said that at the time of the incident the water temperature in the river was around 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kammerer said that at that temperature someone in the water has only 15 to 20 minutes before they start suffering from hypothermia.
Sudden immersion in such frigid water can also trigger immediate physiological response like uncontrolled grasping, rapid breathing or hyperventilation.
‘Cold shock can cause an immediate panic, fear or stress reaction that then impairs clear thinking and decision making,’ the National Weather Service said.
Those reactions, coupled with a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, can also heighten the risk of heart failure or stroke, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
When will Reagan International reopen?
Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least 5am on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration reports.
All takeoffs and landings were suspended at the airport following the collision.