Dozens feared dead after American Airlines jet collides with helicopter in Washington

American jet with 64 passengers, Black Hawk with 3 soldiers, investigation underway inside the Potomac river

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Dozens are feared dead after an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed into the cold waters of the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.

Officials have not yet confirmed a death toll following the collision, but U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, where the flight originated, suggested that all passengers on board may have perished.

Speaking at a news conference at Reagan National Airport early Thursday, Marshall said, "It's really hard when you lose probably over 60 Kansans simultaneously." He continued, "When one person dies, it's a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die, it's an unbearable sorrow. It's a heartbreak beyond measure."

Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, also spoke at the news conference, emphasizing that first responders were currently in "rescue mode."

CBS News reported that at least 19 bodies had been recovered, according to a police official, while two sources told Reuters that several bodies had been pulled from the water.

The Kansas Senator Roger Marshall reported that the plane, which collided with a military Blackhawk helicopter late Wednesday, was carrying around 64 passengers. US officials said three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.

The collision, which occurred at around 9:00 p.m. Resulted in a halt to all takeoffs and landings at the airport. The FAA confirmed that the PSA Airlines regional jet collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching the airport. The jet, operated by American Eagle, has a capacity of up to 65 passengers.

American Airlines, which operates the flight, said it was aware of the incident and would provide updates as more information became available.

Photo: Photo: A search and rescue boat operates in the Potomac River after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Multiple agencies launched a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport

Rescue boats were deployed from a site near the airport along the George Washington Parkway.

President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation, and Vice President JD Vance asked followers on social media to "say a prayer for everyone involved."

The collision prompted a suspension of all airport operations.

Photo: Photo: A search and rescue boat operates in the Potomac River after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Helicopters from US. Park Police, the DC. Metropolitan Police Department, and the US military were seen flying over the scene. Washington DC. Fire and EMS also responded with fireboats.

Surveillance video from the nearby Kennedy Center showed two sets of lights resembling aircraft appearing to merge in a fireball. Air traffic control audio from the time of the incident captured a controller asking the helicopter, "PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?" Moments later, another pilot reported seeing the collision, prompting the control tower to divert incoming flights.

The incident evoked memories of the 1982 Air Florida crash, when a plane crashed into the Potomac River, killing 78 people. That crash was caused by bad weather.