American Airlines Flight 5342, with 60 passengers onboard, collided with a US military helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport near the Potomac River.
The FAA has confirmed that Reagan National Airport (DCA) will remain closed until at least 5 a.m. Friday following the mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk
According to reports, the FAA issued a preliminary statement saying American Airlines Flight 5342, a smaller regional Bombardier CRJ700 jet operated by PSA Airlines, collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to Runway 33. The flight was operated by regional American Eagle Airlines

One of the aircraft is in the water, possibly both. It is believed 60 passengers and four crew were on board the passenger jet, and 3 were on board the helicopter.
Last update: 4 injured were taken to a hospital, 18 bodies were recovered, 45 people are still missing.
The jet was flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington Reagan Airport when it collided with the helicopter before reaching the airport runway.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom provided an update and statement before noting he was planning to depart for Washington, D.C., himself.
Flights taking off and departing Reagan Washington National Airport have been suspended as search and rescue operations continue.
The collision occurred around 3 miles south of the White House and Capitol in some of the world’s most tightly controlled and monitored airspace. President Trump is aware of the situation.
US President Trump, in a statement, said this crash could have been prevented.

