BREAKING UPDATE: Commercial flight crashes with military helicopter over Potomac River, Reagan National shut down

According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), "A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ 700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9:00 pm local time. PSA was operating as flight 5342 for American Airlines which departed from Wichita, Kansas."

The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating, with the NTSB leading the investigation. In audio obtained by the Associated Press from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, an air traffic controller can be heard asking the helicopter, “PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,” in reference to the passenger plane, as the helicopter was asked to “pass behind" the plane.

Fox News reported that 60 passengers and 4 crew were on board the regional jet. Spokesperson for the Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region Heather Chairez said there were 3 soldiers on the helicopter from the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir which was on a training flight.

According to Townhall editor Katie Pavlich, 19 bodies have been pulled from the river. Over 300 first responders are on site, from DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Emergency crews, including fireboats, have been deployed to the scene as responders work to assess the situation, according to DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Rescue and recovery efforts remain ongoing, according to local news.

The Metropolitan Police Department posted on x that it was "responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are responding. Details to come.”

Independent journalist Alejandro Alvarez found footage from a webcam at the Kennedy Center that appears to show footage of a mid-air collision.

A ground stop remains in effect at Reagan Airport. The airport will re-open at 11 am Thursday morning.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the midair collision between a regional jet and a military helicopter and that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the tragedy. President Trump said in a statement, "I've been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise."

The president posted on Truth Social, "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn't the helicopter go up or down, or turn.” “Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”

US Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy who was sworn in as secretary only a few hours before the crash has reportedly arrived at the emergency command post at the crash site.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in a video posted to the airline’s website that the company was coordinating with local, state, and federal authorities and “cooperating fully” with the NTSB investigation. “Anything we can do, we are doing,” Isom said, adding that he would be joining a team the airline was sending to Washington.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) posted on X, "Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare. A plane, traveling to the Nation's capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. There are no words that can make telling this story any easier. I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident. I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded."

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