A collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, D.C, killed 67 people, including more than a dozen figure skaters. The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash late Wednesday. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter.
READ MORE: Passengers on downed flight included young American figure skaters and Russian coaches
President Donald Trump said at a briefing Thursday that there were no survivors.
The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also found. At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River. There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, but officials said flight conditions were clear as the jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas.
U.S. Figure Skating previously confirmed that several skaters, coaches and family members were on the commercial flight after attending a development camp that followed the national championships that ended Sunday in Wichita.
Here's the latest.
5:44 p.m. EST
Pilots union says its accident investigation team is working with the NTSB
Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association said the union's accident investigation team was on the scene working with the National Transportation Safety Board, and its Critical Incident Response Program was working to support union members and the families involved in the collision.
"We mourn the loss of our friends, colleagues, and members of our ALPA and Association of Flight Attendants union family," he said.
Ambrosi reiterated in a statement what the NTSB has said — the investigation must have the time to do its work.
"A lot of details and speculation will come out in response to this tragedy, but we must remember to let the investigation run its course," he said.
5:34 p.m. EST
AP source says air traffic control staffing was 'normal'
One air traffic controller was responsible for coordinating helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes when the collision happened, according to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration obtained by The Associated Press.
The configuration was "not normal," the report said, but a person familiar with the matter said the staffing at the air traffic control tower on Wednesday night was at a normal level. The positions are regularly combined when controllers need to step away from the console for breaks, are in the process of a shift change, or air traffic is slow, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal procedures.
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus criticizes Trump's comments blaming DEI
The leadership of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus has also criticized President Trump for his attempts to blame DEI policies for the collision, calling it "despicable."
WATCH: Trump signs aviation order to assess 'damage' done to air safety by diversity policies
"President Trump has made baseless claims that seek to blame people of color for this horrific tragedy. It is despicable," read the statement from the congressional caucus. "We don't need racist lies, we need answers, and a leader who will put aside partisan politics to unite our country. President Trump has failed to meet this moment. The American people deserve better."
FAA has long struggled with air traffic controller shortages
The Federal Aviation Administration has long struggled with a shortage of air traffic controllers and identified fatigue as a factor that might lead to mistakes.
After a number of highly publicized close calls between planes that were following orders from control towers, the FAA said last summer that it would increase the minimum time controllers get between shifts starting this year.
An agreement between the agency and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association called for 10 hours off between shifts, 12 hours off before and after a midnight shift, and a limit on consecutive overtime assignments.
Although then-FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in September that the agency had met its 2024 goal of hiring 1,800 controllers, airline executives said they expected the problem to persist.
The cause of Wednesday night's crash is under investigation. A preliminary FAA report obtained by The Associated Press said one air traffic controller was working two positions at the time.
4:46 p.m. EST
Experts stress that midair collisions are incredibly rare
"Your drive to the airport is riskier than your flight from the airport," said Michael McCormick, an assistant professor and program coordinator for air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. "Aviation remains, in spite of what happened yesterday night, the safest mode of transportation in the United States."
Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of Flight Safety Foundation, also stressed how rare this kind of deadly accident is.
"This should have never happened. It is absolutely preventable," Shahidi said, adding that he and others will continue to follow the NTSB's investigation into the exact cause of the collision to help ensure that it never happens again.
Part of that might come down to modernization and additional resources, he said.
"We have highly trained air traffic controllers all over the country. We have highly trained pilots all over the country. They're doing their jobs well," he said. "But we also need to understand what else is needed — in terms of technology, in terms of modernization of the air traffic control system, in terms of additional personnel and training support."
Black lawmakers blast Trump's comments blaming DEI for the collision
A group of Black lawmakers issued a statement mourning the lives of those killed in the D.C. plane collision and blasting Trump's comments that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts were at fault.
WATCH: Trump baselessly blames diversity hiring for deadly D.C. plane collision
"It is our hope that the outpour of condolences and support from people across our nation will bring solace during this season of bereavement," said Rep. Yvette Clark, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. "However, the opportunity to fully focus our sympathies on those who are in mourning and who may not have even retrieved their dearly departed was marred by a truly disgusting and disgraceful display of racist political prognostication."
The group added that diversity efforts "are American values" that "work to benefit all Americans who have been traditionally kept out of opportunities.
The Army has seen an increase in major aviation accidents in recent years
The Army saw 15 flight and two ground Class A incidents in fiscal year 2024, according to safety data obtained by The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act and a January 2025 Army aviation safety report.
WATCH: Aviation expert weighs in on factors behind notable helicopter crashes
Class A incidents are any aviation accident that results in the destruction of the aircraft, deaths of service members or more than $2.5 million in damage to the airframe.
In a briefing with Pentagon reporters Thursday, Army aviation Chief of Staff Jonathan Koziol said the spike in incidents last year had prompted the Army to do a safety stand-down, in which units pause flight operations to evaluate safety procedures "to not allow these types of incidents to happen," Koziol said.
Trump signs an aviation order rolling back federal diversity initiatives
He says the presidential memorandum on aviation safety will undo "damage" done to related federal agencies by the Biden administration.
The president singled out policies meant to promote diversity and inclusion by the Biden White House and of the administrations of other Democrats, saying, "What they've done is disgraceful."
Signing the memorandum in the Oval Office, Trump repeated — without evidence — his past assertions that federal diversity programs contributed to a helicopter and a regional jet colliding near Washington, D.C.
He said the memorandum can help ensure that "we have very strong people running" key aviation agencies.
3:50 p.m. EST
FAA report says staffing was 'not normal' in the air traffic control tower at DCA
That's according to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration that was obtained by The Associated Press.
The report says one air traffic controller was working two positions at the time of the crash.
"The position configuration was not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic," the report says.
President of air traffic controllers union says they 'cannot comment on the specifics' of the crash
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, wrote in a statement that "it would be premature to speculate on the root cause of this accident."
"We will wait for the National Transportation Safety Board to complete its work and use that information to help guide decisions and changes to enhance and improve aviation safety," he continued.
Daniels also offered condolences for those affected by "the tragic loss of life."
3:22 p.m. EST
NTSB chair says investigators will look at 'facts'
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said Thursday at a press conference that "we look at facts on our investigation and that will take some time."
She was responding to a question on speculation about the cause of the crash between the an American Airlines jet and Army helicopter late Wednesday just outside Washington, D.C.
At a press conference earlier Thursday, Trump suggested that the Federal Aviation Administration's diversity efforts had made air travel less safe.
The president asserted his opinion even though the crash has yet to be fully investigated and there has been no determination as to whether the FAA did anything wrong.
Homendy also said the black boxes from the aircraft have not been recovered yet.
Attorney says airport's crowded space is well-known fact
The crowded airspace around the airport was well known before the crash, said Robert Clifford, an aviation attorney from Chicago involved in numerous airline disaster cases.
"I can't get over how stunningly clear it is that this was a preventable crash and this should never, ever have occurred," Clifford told The Associated Press.
"There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home last night," Clifford said.
He said the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was "very unique" as it is not only located near the nation's capital but also is a highly restricted space.
"However, because of the massive military presence in our capital, the Pentagon and a number of bases, there's understandably a lot of military aircraft in the area."
1:51 p.m. EST
Army: Crew of Blackhawk that crashed was 'very experienced'
View of the wreckage of a Black Hawk helicopter in the Potomac River in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter, as seen from Virginia, U.S., January 30, 2025. Photo by Carlos Barria/REUTERS
The crew that was flying the Army Blackhawk helicopter when it collided with an American Airlines jet was "very experienced" and were not new to the unit or the congested flying that occurs daily around Washington, D.C.
That is according to Jonathan Koziol, chief of staff for Army aviation.
"Both pilots had flown this specific route before, at night. This wasn't something new to either one of them," Koziol said.
"Even the crew chief in the back has been in the unit for a very long time, very familiar with the area, very familiar with the routing structure."
The crew included an instructor pilot and pilot in command were experienced to the point where either crew member "could manage that helicopter by themselves."
The instructor pilot, who was serving as pilot-in-command, had about 1,000 flight hours, Koziol said. The instructor pilot was evaluating the second pilot — who was also qualified as a pilot in command — for that night training flight and the pilot who was being evaluated had about 500 flight hours, Koziol said.
All three military personnel on board were killed in the midair collision between their helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet late Wednesday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport just outside Washington, D.C.
1:39 p.m. EST
Bodies of three Army soldiers recovered
An FBI agent carries debris, after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into Potomac River, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. January 30, 2025. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
The bodies of all three soldiers who were on board an Army helicopter involved in a midair collision have been recovered. That is according to U.S. officials.
Officials said Thursday that the remains will be at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. That office coordinates the dignified transfer of fallen service members. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet announced. No identities of the crew have been released.
They were killed in midair collision with an American Airlines passenger jet late Wednesday near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside of Washington, D.C. There were 64 people on board the jet and officials say all of them were killed in the crash.
1:25 p.m. EST
Flights resume at Reagan National after deadly midair collision
An American Eagle plane flies at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River, in Arlington, Virginia, January 30, 2025. Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
Flights resumed at the Ronald Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C., shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday. But many flights had been canceled, and airport information boards were covered in red cancellation messages. Other flights were delayed until late morning or afternoon.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, who was sworn in earlier this week, was asked if he could reassure Americans that the United States still has the safest airspace in the world.
"Can I guarantee the American flying public that the United States has the most safe and secure airspace in the world? And the answer to that is, absolutely yes, we do," he said.
Likely the deadliest plane crash in a quarter-century
If all 64 people on board the plane were killed, it would be the deadliest U.S. airline crash since Nov. 12, 2001, when an American Airlines flight crashed into a residential area of Belle Harbor, New York, just after takeoff from Kennedy Airport, killing all 260 people aboard.
Passengers on Wednesday's flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.
12:45 p.m. EST
Former transportation secretary calls Trump's criticisms 'despicable'
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters about Wednesday's deadly midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 30, 2025. Photo by Elizabeth Frantz/REUTERS
"As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying," former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg posted on X shortly after President Donald Trump's White House news conference.
He noted that when he led the agency, it "had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch."
That followed Trump sharply criticizing Buttigieg and even resorting to profanity to denounce what he called Democratic-led efforts to promote diversity at federal agencies.
Trump said Buttigieg at the transportation department, had "run it right into the ground with his diversity."
12:32 p.m. EST
Schumer: Trump focus is on conspiracy theories about crash
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York says Trump spewing conspiracy theories about the crash "turns your stomach."
"It's one thing for internet pundits to spew off conspiracy theories, it's another for the president of the United States," Schumer said at the Capitol.
Schumer's remarks appear aimed at statements by Trump made Thursday. After opening a news conference with a moment of silence for the crash victims — Trump used most of his time at the podium to cast political blame.
Without evidence, Trump blamed air traffic controllers, the helicopter pilots and Democratic policies at federal agencies.
He also lashed out at the Federal Aviation Administration, saying the agency's diversity efforts had made air travel less safe.
11:57 a.m. EST
Trump says he thinks FAA diversity hiring has hurt air safety
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as they speak to reporters about Wednesday's deadly midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, January 30, 2025. Photo by Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
President Donald Trump has suggested that the Federal Aviation Administration's diversity efforts had made air travel less safe.
Trump was speaking at the White House press briefing room after a fatal crash between a passenger airplane and Army helicopter on Wednesday night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The president asserted his opinion even though the crash has yet to be fully investigated and there has been no determination as to whether the FAA did anything wrong.
"The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency's website," said Trump, noting that the program allowed for the hiring of people with hearing and vision issues as well as paralysis, epilepsy and "dwarfism."
11:14 a.m. EST
Trump: No one survived the aircraft collision near D.C.
President Donald Trump says there were no survivors after a passenger plane and an Army helicopter collided near a D.C.-area airport.
"As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly," Trump said at a press briefing Thursday.
"Sadly, there are no survivors" of the crash, he said.
Trump said it was still not clear what led to the crash. He said the U.S. military and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
"We'll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he said.
11:14 a.m. EST
Coast Guard joins in rescue and recovery effort
Emergency workers recover debris from the Potomac River in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter, as seen from Virginia, U.S., January 30, 2025. Photo by Carlos Barria/REUTERS
Coast Guard boats are helping to scour the chilly waters of the Potomac River after a deadly collision between a commercial passenger jet and an Army helicopter.
Every "available U.S. Coast Guard resource for search and rescue" has been deployed to join other agencies, said Secretary Kristi Noem of the Department of Homeland Security.
"We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders," Noem said on the social media platform X.
In a statement, the Coast Guard says its pollution crews have been mobilized and are ready to respond if necessary.
The Coast Guard is working with the Army Corps of Engineers and Navy's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving to coordinate removing the wreckage and keeping river traffic out of the area until it becomes safe.
10:33 a.m. EST
President Trump sends message of condolence
President Donald Trump has sent a message of condolence to those affected by the deadly collision at a D.C.-area airport.
"I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls," he said on Truth Social.
"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."
Six killed from Boston-area figure skating club
Photographs of athletes Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, and coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, all of whom died in the crash of American Eagle flight 5342 in Washington, DC, are displayed at the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts, January 30, 2025. Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters
Two young figure skaters, two of their parents and two highly-regarded Russian figure skating coaches were among those killed after an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter collided Wednesday night and crashed into the frigid waters of the Potomac River.
"This will have long reaching impacts for our community," said Doug Zeghibe, chief executive at the Skating Club of Boston, said during a news conference where he was visibly emotional.
READ MORE: Passengers on downed flight included American and Russian figure skaters
Two of those killed were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were well-known Russian skaters but have been coaching at the Skating Club of Boston since 2017.
U.S. Figure Skating previously confirmed that several skaters, coaches and family members were on the commercial flight after attending a development camp that followed the national championships, which wrapped up Sunday in Wichita, Kansas.
9:28 a.m. EST
Russian figure skaters are among the victims
A photographs of coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, who died in the crash of American Eagle flight 5342 in Washington, DC, are displayed at the Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts, U.S., January 30, 2025. Photo by Brian Snyder/REUTERS
Two Russian figure skating coaches whose son recently finished fourth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were among those feared dead after an American Airlines and an Army helicopter collided crashed into the frigid waters of the Potomac River.
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several skaters, coaches and family members were on the commercial flight after attending a development camp that followed the national championships that ended Sunday in Wichita, Kansas.
Two of those killed were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were well-known Russian skaters but have been coaching at the Skating Club of Boston since 2017.
Officials say they do not believe anyone survived in the Wednesday crash. The American Airlines jet had 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.
9:18 a.m. EST
FAA joins NTSB in investigation of midair collision
FBI agents stand near debris, after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into Potomac River, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. January 30, 2025. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration will join the NTSB-led investigation of Wednesday night's midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport.
The NTSB is leading the investigation.
Airport to reopen at 11 a.m. after deadly crash
Located along the Potomac River, just southwest of Washington, D.C., the Ronald Reagan National Airport is a popular choice because it's much closer to the U.S. capital than the larger Dulles International Airport.
All takeoffs and landings from Reagan Airport were halted following the crash. It will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced.
READ MORE: Officials fear no survivors from American Airlines jet collision with Army helicopter
8:42 a.m. EST
Fire chief confident that remains of victims will be recovered
Washington DC Fire Chief John Donnelly addresses the media, after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into Potomac River in Washington on Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/ Reuters
Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly says he's confident that the remains of those killed in the crash will be recovered, but it may take some time. At least 28 bodies have been recovered.
Officials said flight conditions were clear as the jet coming from Wichita, Kansas was making a routine landing when the helicopter flew into its path. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter during a training flight, an Army official said.
American Airlines has sent up centers in Washington and Wichita, Kansas, for people searching for information about family members and families.
8:14 a.m. EST
Duffy says accident was "absolutely" preventable
Asked about President Donald Trump suggesting in an overnight social media post that the collision could have been prevented, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, "Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely.
Duffy also said passengers should be "assured" that flying is safe.
"I would just say that everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely. That when you depart an airport, you get to your destination. That didn't happen last night and I know that President Trump, his administration, the FAA, the DOT, we will not rest until we have answers for the families and for the flying public. You should be assured that when you fly, you're safe."
Duffy says U.S. has "safest airspace in the world"
"We have early indicators of what happened here and I will tell you with complete confidence we have the safest airspace in the world," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
Duffy said that, prior to the collision, the plane and helicopter flight paths "were not unusual for what happens in the DC airspace"
"Everything was standard in the lead up to the crash. Obviously there was something that happened here," Duffy said.
27 people traveling on American Airlines jet confirmed dead
A helicopter flies near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River, in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Eduardo Munoz/ Reuters
First responders have recovered the bodies of 27 passengers from the American Airlines jet that collided with the helicopter, officials say.
The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also found.
Officials said they were still searching for other casualties but did not believe there were any other survivors, which would make it the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.
Rescuers now working to recover the dead
Michael Waltz, President Donald Trump's national security advisor, said on Fox News Channel, that at "about 4 a.m., we transitioned from response to recovery."
Asked if that was everyone aboard, Waltz said, "That's what it's looking like"
Waltz's comments That suggests first responders are now working to recover the dead from the crash.
Families anxious for news for those on the AA flight
Hamaad Raza is waiting for news from authorities about the fate of his wife, who he said was among 60 passengers on the American Airlines flight from Wichita.
Raza said he was waiting for the plane when his wife texted that her flight was 20 minutes from landing.
When his messages failed to be delivered he became concerned.
"That's when I realized something might be up," Raza told WUSA-TV.
His 26-year-old wife, who he didn't name, had flown to Wichita, Kansas, for work.
"I'm just praying that somebody's pulling her out of the river as we speak," Raza said. "That's all I can pray for."
Kremlin confirms former champion Russian skaters were onboard
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian figure skaters, as well as other Russian nationals, were on the American Airlines plane that crashed into the Potomac River near Washington, DC.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to reporters Thursday that Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won the pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed at the Winter Olympics twice, were aboard the plane.
"Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed. There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington. We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash," he said.
He did not give details on how many fatalities there were.
Shishkova and Naumov are listed as professional pairs coaches on the website of the Skating Club of Boston. Their son, Maxim Naumov, is a competitive figure skater for the U.S.
Rescuers search in near freezing river water for survivors
Hundreds of rescuers were searching the frigid waters of the Potomac River for any survivors of the plane crash.
Images showed boats around a partly submerged wing and what appeared to be the mangled wreckage of the plane's fuselage.
Helicopters flew overhead with powerful search lights scanning the murky waters, while emergency vehicles lit up the banks of the Potomac in a long line of blinking red lights.
The water temperature was just above freezing.
Global skating community 'deeply shocked and heartbroken'
The international governing body for figure skating said the global skating community was "deeply shocked" and heartbroken to learn that figure skaters and those close to them were onboard the flight that collided with a military helicopter.
"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport — it's a close-knit family — and we stand together," the International Skating Union said in a statement.
Group of figure skaters and coaches were on the jet
Passengers on the jet included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp held after the national U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement.
The organization confirmed that "several members of the skating community" were on the flight. It did not provide more details.
"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts," the organization said. "We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."
'We don't know yet,' fire chief says of possible survivors
Officials offered few details on the status of the victims as they concluded their early-morning press briefing Thursday.
"I can't say anything about the rescue operation right now," said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, as reporters continue to press for updates on the passengers.
She also declined to comment on the condition of aircraft, which remains submerged in the Potomac River.
Asked if there are any survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, responded: "We don't know yet. But we're working."
Crews in plane crash response face 'rough' conditions
Officials who held a press conference at Reagan National Airport did not announce any deaths, but they all had a somber tone.
Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said "when one person dies it's a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die it's an unbearable sorrow."
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser would not say whether any bodies were recovered from the crash.
There are currently about 300 responders working on the rescue operation
Washington Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said at the early Thurday news conference thatconditions are "extremely rough for responders," with cold weather and intense wind.
The Potomac River is about 8 feet deep where the aircraft crashed after their collision.
"The water is dark. It is murky," Connelly said.
Trump says collision 'looks like it should have been prevented'
In a post on Truth Social, Trump questioned the tactics of the military helicopter and the air traffic controllers — both agencies that report to him as the president.
Writing that the "airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach for an extended period of time" on a "CLEAR NIGHT," Trump questioned, "why didn't the helicopter go up or down or turn," and "why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane."
"What a terrible night this has been. God Bless you all!" he added in a subsequent post.
AP source: Multiple people killed in midair collision
There were multiple fatalities after the midair collision, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
Authorities are still conducting a search-and-rescue operation in an attempt to find survivors in the water and around the crash site.
-Mike Balsamo
Helicopter was on training flight
The U.S. Army said the helicopter that collided with a passenger jet was a UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. A crew of three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. The helicopter was on a training flight.
Military aircraft frequently conduct training flights in and around the congested and heavily-restricted airspace around the nation's capital for familiarization and continuity of government planning.
'There was a lot of sadness' in terminal after passenger jet crash
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz was waiting to catch his flight back to Buffalo, New York, when he saw through the terminal window some emergency vehicles moving out below.
"It didn't seem anything too strange at that point," Poloncarz said. "And then about a minute or so after that, there was an announcement of a full-ground stop, that there would be no flights landing and no flights taking off. And then we started to see a lot of emergency vehicles heading towards the river."
Poloncarz and others soon saw reports on social media of a plane crash, while rumors began to swirl.
"When flights get delayed, people get aggravated and upset. But there was no one getting aggravated or upset because I think we all realized pretty quickly the magnitude of what occurred. The terminal grew pretty quiet. There was a lot of sadness."
Last fatal U.S. commercial airline crash was in 2009
The last fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline occurred in 2009 in New York, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
Everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane was killed, including 45 passengers, 2 pilots and 2 flight attendants. Another person on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 50. An investigation determined that the captain accidentally caused the plane to stall as it approached the airport in Buffalo.
Audio shows no response from helicopter after air traffic control warning
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asks the helicopter if it has the arriving plane in sight: "PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?"
The controller makes another radio call to PAT25 moments later: "PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ."
The two aircraft collide seconds later.
The audio from flight tracking sites doesn't record any response from the helicopter, if any, to the warnings from air traffic control.
The plane's radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet (730 meters) short of the runway, roughly over the middle of the river.
Trump on aircraft accident: 'May God Bless their souls'
President Donald Trump says he's been briefed on the 'terrible accident' at Reagan National Airport.
In a statement late Wednesday, Trump thanked first responders for their "incredible work," noting that he was "monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise."
"May God Bless their souls," he added
Noem says all available Coast Guard resources being deployed
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she would be deploying all available resources from the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue efforts.
"We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders," Noem said in a post on X.
Reagan Washington National a popular airport
Reagan Washington National is located along the Potomac River, just southwest of the city. It's a popular choice because it's much closer than the larger Dulles International Airport, which is deeper in Virginia.
Depending on the runway being used, flights into Reagan can offer passengers spectacular views of landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. It's a postcard-worthy welcome for tourists visiting the city.
Details on the passenger jet
American Airlines flight 5342 was inbound to Reagan National at an altitude of about 400 feet and a speed of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, according to data from its radio transponder.
The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet was manufactured in 2004 and can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers.
Trump is briefed on the crash
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump has been briefed on the crash.
'Tower, did you see that?'
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 tower immediately began diverting other aircraft from Reagan.