What we know so far An American Airlines flight operated by PSA has collided with a military helicopter as it was approaching Reagan Washington national airport, the federal aviation administration has confirmed. Here’s what we know so far: The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night, American Airlines confirmed. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas. The helicopter was carrying three soldiers, multiple news outlets reported, citing US defence officials. They said no senior army officials were onboard. All takeoffs and landings were halted at the airport as the rescue operation got underway. Dozens of firefighters were “engaged in dive operations” on the Potomac River, Edward Kelly, the general president of the international association of firefighters, said. Ambulances and other rescue workers including from the military, the park police and the DC metropolitan police department also rushed to the scene. President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services. US senator Ted Cruz said “we know there are fatalities” from the plane and helicopter collision, although he did not say where he had got his information from and there are no confirmed casualties as yet. If you are just tuning into this story, here is our full report on what we know so far. An American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members has crashed after a midair collision with a US army Black Hawk helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan national airport near Washington DC, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the Potomac river. The Washington Post said multiple bodies had been pulled from the water. NBC reported that four people had been pulled alive from the Potomac. All takeoffs and landings from the airport near the capital were halted as helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, a US official said. President Donald Trump said he had been “fully briefed on this terrible accident” and, referring to the passengers, added, “May God Bless their souls.” 18 bodies recovered from the Potomac River, reports CBS CBS news is now reporting that 18 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River after the collision of the regional passenger plane and the Black Hawk military helicopter. Other media organisations, such as the Washington Post, have reported that multiple bodies had been pulled from the water. No survivors have been found so far, the newspaper has reported. American Airlines confirmed that 64 people were aboard the jet - including 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, a US official said. The FBI is helping with the response to the crash, its Washington field office has said. In a statement it wrote: The FBI Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad is responding to an aviation incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in support of our law enforcement and public safety partners. Please direct questions to the National Transportation Safety Board. Pictures are starting to come in from the Potomac River, where the rescue operation is underway: The BlackHawk was taking part in a training flight, Heather Chairez, a spokesperson with the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, has told Reuters. Another official cited by the news wire said the Army UH-60 helicopter involved in the crash was based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem says “every available” coast guard resource has been deployed to help with rescue efforts. In a post on X she wrote: We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA. We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders. Praying for the victims and first responders. What we know so far An American Airlines flight operated by PSA has collided with a military helicopter as it was approaching Reagan Washington national airport, the federal aviation administration has confirmed. Here’s what we know so far: The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night, American Airlines confirmed. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas. The helicopter was carrying three soldiers, multiple news outlets reported, citing US defence officials. They said no senior army officials were onboard. All takeoffs and landings were halted at the airport as the rescue operation got underway. Dozens of firefighters were “engaged in dive operations” on the Potomac River, Edward Kelly, the general president of the international association of firefighters, said. Ambulances and other rescue workers including from the military, the park police and the DC metropolitan police department also rushed to the scene. President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services. US senator Ted Cruz said “we know there are fatalities” from the plane and helicopter collision, although he did not say where he had got his information from and there are no confirmed casualties as yet. Here’s a map showing the location of the airport, just next to the Potomac River were rescue workers are now directing their efforts: Sixty-four people were onboard plane from Kansas, American Airlines confirms American Airlines has confirmed earlier reports that 60 passengers and four crew members were onboard the flight from Wichita in Kansas to Washington DC. It said in a statement on its website: American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts. Edward Kelly, the general president of the international association of firefighters, says dozens of firefighters are “engaged in dive operations” on the Potomac River. In a post on X he said: Search and rescue efforts are underway in the Potomac River, with @Local3217, @IAFF36, @IAFFlocal1619, and dozens of other firefighters engaged in dive operations. They’re doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety. Our prayers are with everyone affected. Donald Trump thanks emergency responders, says he is monitoring "terrible accident" US President Donald Trump has issued a statement on the collision saying he has been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services. He said: I have 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.