An American Airlines plane and a US Army helicopter have collided near Washington DC, resulting in a crash into the Potomac River

A catastrophic collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army helicopter has left officials scrambling to find survivors after the crash in the Potomac River near Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan National Airport.

The incident occurred around 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday, as the Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, en route from Wichita, Kansas, was nearing the airport’s runway for landing. The aircraft, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided mid-air with a Black Hawk military helicopter that had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

The crash has resulted in the plane breaking apart upon hitting the water, with search boats and divers currently combing the Potomac River for survivors. According to reports, three US Army soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, although their condition has not been confirmed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the tragic collision. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation, offering gratitude to the first responders for their efforts in what has been described as a terrible accident.

The incident has led to disruptions at the nearby Ronald Reagan National Airport, with takeoffs and landings halted as emergency personnel respond to the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to provide further updates as the situation unfolds. Both federal and local agencies are working together in the search and recovery operation, and authorities are urging the public to avoid the crash site as divers continue their work.

The crash has left the community reeling, with many questions yet to be answered about how such a collision occurred. As the investigation progresses, authorities are focusing on gathering all available evidence to determine the cause of this tragic accident.