Editor’s note: Follow the latest updates to this developing story on this live blog.
An American Airlines flight and a military helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport Wednesday evening, D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed.
Video from the web camera network EarthCam shows the moment of the collision. It shows a big flash upon impact. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the video, the White House said.
The airliner had about 60 people aboard. Three people were aboard the helicopter. At least four people have been recovered and were rushed to hospitals. A frantic search to find crash victims in the river is underway.
The water temperature is about 35°, Storm Team4’s Doug Kammerer said. At that temperature, someone has 15 to 20 minutes before suffering from hypothermia, he said.
An FAA statement says: “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local [Eastern] time. PSA was operating Flight 5342 as American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.”
There is a massive emergency response unfolding. Fireboats are in the water, and the Metropolitan Police Department also confirmed it is responding.
Fire departments from all around the region are staging at Gravelly Point north of Reagan National.
News4 video shows a sea of fire trucks, ambulances and police cars on the banks of the Potomac.
A senior FBI official says Washington Field Office personnel are standing by to assist but there’s nothing to indicate anything criminal or terrorist related was involved in the crash.
All takeoffs and landings have been stopped at Reagan National.
The FAA said it and the NTSB will investigate, with the NTSB leading the investigation.
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for updates to this breaking story.
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