Emergency services in Washington DC are searching the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following the incident just before 9pm on Wednesday night
US President Donald Trump wished for God to bless the souls of those affected by the American Airlines crash – which he said should have been prevented.
The jet collided with a military helicopter, which was on a training exercise, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the US capital. Some 64 people – including crew members – were aboard the plane, which has reportedly split into two and is around seven feet underwater in the Potomac River beside the terminal.
Speaking in the wake of the horror, thought to be one of the largest aviation crashes in the US in around 40 years, Trump 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.”
In a later post, the world leader questioned how the accident happened. He wrote: “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
The statement comes as emergency services continue to scour the Potomac River in a complex search and rescue operation. Dozens of people are feared dead.
The airport has halted landings and departures until at least 5am on Friday, following the Bombardier CRJ700’s collision with a Sikorksy H-60 Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to Runway 33.
Vice President JD Vance said on his own to social media: “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”
The American Airlines plane, which had left Wichita, Kansas, was attempting to land when it collided with the Army chopper at around 9pm on Wednesday.
In a statement, DC Police said: “At 8:53pm, multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River. DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.”
The airport said in a post to X: “All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update.”