A plane, operated by American Airlines, collided with a military helicopter during its approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening, local time. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ700, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, on flight 5342. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were no survivors.
The incident occurred when the plane, which was on a scheduled landing, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter, a type also known as the Black Hawk, in the Potomac River. The helicopter, which was carrying three people, was in the area for a training exercise, according to a military spokesperson.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has stated that there is no indication of criminality or terrorism at this time. The airport, which was temporarily closed, has since reopened and all flights have been allowed to resume.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the collision, while the FBI is looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report on the incident in the coming days.
President Donald Trump has been informed of the situation and further updates are expected in the coming hours.