What we know so far

The 64 passengers and crew of the Botomac River in Washington, DC, crashed after it collided with the air with the American army helicopter.

A law enforcement source said that at least 19 bodies have been withdrawn from the river so far. Among the skiers from the United States and Russia is among those known that they were on board when the accident occurred.

Search and rescue teams work throughout the night to avoid water at frozen temperatures.

Ronald Reagan Washington Airport is temporarily closed as the authorities are investigating what happened.

At approximately 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT on Wednesday, the Psa Airlines that operates as an American Airlines 5342 aircraft with a US Army helicopter with Ronald Reagan Washington’s National Airport approaching, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Reports said the passenger plane stormed multiple pieces and sank several feet in the river, while the helicopter ended upside down on the water.

US Airways said the plane, the Bombardier CRJ700 company, left Witchita, Kansas and was carrying 60 passengers and four crew.

The Pentagon said that the concerned helicopter was Sikorsky H-60 ​​that took off from Fort Balfwar in Virginia.

The mayor of Washington, Morel, Morel Boser, said that three American soldiers were on board. Another official said he was on a training trip, and he belonged to B. The twelfth aviation battalion of Fort Balves in Virginia.

A clip that was published online, and reviewed by CNN aims to capture air traffic monitoring conversation in moments before collapse. According to what was reported, the helicopter warning unit can be heard from the plane, but do not receive any response. The sound has not been checked by the BBC.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the incident, along with the National Transport Safety Council (NTSB).

A source of law enforcement informed CBS told the CBS that at least 19 bodies of the river – although officials refused to confirm such reports, saying that they are focusing on the rescue voltage.

“Many members of our ski community were on board,” said ice skiing in the United States. She said that this group consists of athletes, coaches and family members who were returning to their homes from the Tanmas camp in Kansas.

Russia said that two of its citizens, ice ski coaches and former world champions Yivgenia Shishkova and Vadim Numov were also on the plane.

John Donlley, head of the Washington Emergency Services, said that about 300 respondents were deployed on rubber boats to search for survivors. “The challenge is access, there are winds, pieces of ice (on water). It is dangerous and difficult to work on,” he said.

Arie Choelman told NBC Washington that he saw the crash of the plane while driving on the George Washington Road, which runs along the airport.

He said that the plane’s approach seemed natural, until he saw the aircraft bank strongly on the right, with the “sparks” that work under it, which illuminates its stomach.

At that point, he said he knew he seemed “very wrong.” After he saw a landing on the plane there in the past, he said that the lower plane side should not be visible in the dark.

He said that the sparks resemble a “giant Roman candle” and went from the nose of the plane to its tail.

Jimmy Mazio said he saw the accident while eating dinner with his girlfriend in a garden near the airport.

Remember seeing what looks like a “white strait” in the sky. He said that the aircraft flying to Ronald Reagan Airport seemed to fly in “irregular patterns.”

Mr. Mazeo said he did not think much about what he saw until emergency services began to reach the scene.

President Donald Trump said he was completely briefed on the “terrible accident” and that he was closely watching the situation.

“May God bless their souls.” Thank you for the amazing work of our first respondents.

On his account on social media, he also raised questions about how the accident occurred. Writing: “This is a bad situation that he should have been prevented. Not good !!!”

Vice President JD Vance requested the prayers for those who were in the accident.

Defense Minister Beit Higseth and Transport Minister Sean Dove, whose appointments were recently confirmed, said they were watching the situation.

When asked if the flight tracks near Ronald Reagan Airport will be changed after the accident, Duffy said, “We will take the appropriate action if necessary.” He added, “There will be a review of what happened here tonight.”

Robert Isom, CEO of America Airlines, expressed his “deep sorrow” about the collision in a video clip posted on the airline website.

This was repeated by Roger Marshall, US Senate member represented Kansas, as the plane traveled. He described “a sorrow beyond measurement.”