PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided with Sikorsky H-60 helicopter – US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The collision occurred while the jet was on approach to Runway 33 at around 9 p.m. local time. PSA Airlines was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, departing from Wichita, Kansas, the FAA stated.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the incident, the FAA added.

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What’s known about Washington aircraft collision so far?

A commercial flight and a US Army helicopter collided in midair as the gunship was about to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport in the US capital.

▪️The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crewmembers; there were three soldiers on board the Black Hawk helicopter, which was on a training flight.

▪️Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River near the Reagan airport.

▪️18 fatalities have reportedly been confirmed, and rescuers have not yet pulled any survivors from the water.

▪️The plane is in pieces in the water, and the helicopter is also in the water nearby, according to reports.

▪️All takeoffs and landings have been halted at the Reagan airport amid the ongoing search and rescue operation, as stated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

▪️President Donald Trump said in a statement he has been "fully briefed on the terrible accident”, which he added “should have been prevented.”

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