Washington, Jan 30: No survivors have yet been found of American Eagle Flight 5342 that collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan National Airport in Washington DC Wednesday night.

Both aircraft fell into the Potomac river.

The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four members of the crew while the helicopter had three service members.

Rescuers had pulled out several bodies from the icy cold water of the river till early Thursday morning, but no survivors. The temperature of the water in the river was dangerously low around 0 degree celsius.

NBC’s Washington affiliate has reported rescuers have recovered 30 bodies from the river.

The plane was carrying passengers from Wichita in the state of Kansas to the National Airport.

DC authorities have said the plane had broken into pieces and the helicopter was found upside down in the river.

Rescue helicopters hovered over the river with flood lights as boats and rescuers combed the river for survivors and bodies.

The collision reportedly took place around 8:47 pm, local time.

The Army helicopter was a UH-60 Black Hawk on a training flight, US military officials have said. It was assigned to Bravo Company of the 12th Aviation Battalion, which operates out of Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, in nearby Virginia.

Two renowned former Russian figure skaters were on board the passenger plane, the Kremlin has said according to reports.

They were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov did not identify them at a briefing but confirmed when asked if they were on board.

He also suggested that other Russian nationals were aboard the crashed flight.

“There were other of our fellow citizens there as well,” he said.

Shishkova and Naumov won gold at the 1994 Figure Skating World Championship for Russia. The Washington Post reported the married pair lived in the United States since at least 1998, where they coached young ice skaters.

Washington, Jan 30: Several members of the US figure skating team were on board the ill-fated flight from Wictha to Washington, which crashed over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night, according to an athlete.

A devastating mid-air collision on Wednesday has claimed at least 18 lives so far as rescue teams continue search for survivors. The crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk military helicopter.

Team USA pair skater Luke Wang confirmed the tragic news on X, writing, “Praying for all those on the flight from Wichita to DC. Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. Absolutely heartbreaking.”

“As we hold everybody on board in our thoughts, we will continue to wait for official information to be released,” he added.

The skaters were part of the National Development Team, a training programme for top juvenile figure skaters. Many competitors had remained in Kansas to participate in the National Development Camp after the US Figure Skating Championships, which took place in Wichita from January 20 to January 26.

Some athletes had stayed on until January 28 for the advanced training programme.

Team USA ice dancer Ethan Peal also reacted to the news, posting on social media, “I am in shock. Praying for families and my skating community.”

Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reported that Russian figure skater couple Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on board the ill-fated flight.

Their 23-year-old son, Maxim Naumov, a figure skater for Team US, recently competed in the US Championships in Wichita, securing a podium finish. However, it remains unclear whether he was also travelling with his parents on the flight.

The collision occurred around 9 pm local time on Wednesday as the regional passenger jet was approaching the airport for landing.

The jet had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. No survivors have been found so far.

The US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Runway 33. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Pentagon and the Army had launched an immediate investigation. Calling the incident “absolutely tragic,” he expressed condolences and assured that search and rescue efforts were ongoing.

Emergency response teams, including the Metropolitan Police Department and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, were swiftly deployed to the crash site. Rescue boats continue to scan the Potomac River for potential survivors.

Reagan National Airport confirmed on X that all takeoffs and landings were halted while emergency personnel responded to the incident. The terminal remained open, and authorities promised further updates.

Authorities have urged the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency teams to carry out their duties. Multiple agencies are working together to manage the crisis and provide assistance to those affected. The search continues, and more details are awaited.

Washington, Jan 30: A mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Washington’s Reagan National Airport has claimed at least 18 lives, as rescue teams continue to search for survivors, according to local media reports.

The crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk military helicopter.

The military helicopter was carrying three soldiers when it collided with the regional passenger jet, which had 60 passengers and four crew members on board while approaching the airport for landing.

No survivors have been found so far, CNN reported.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the collision occurred around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

As a result, all takeoffs and landings at the airport were temporarily halted while emergency teams worked at the crash site.

The Pentagon and the Army are investigating the crash, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

He wrote that the investigation was “launched immediately.”

“Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families,” Hegseth added.

President Donald Trump issued a statement expressing his concern over the tragic accident.

“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,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Texas Senator Ted Cruz acknowledged that the crash resulted in multiple fatalities.

“I am closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and I will receive a briefing from the FAA tomorrow. While we don’t yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities. Please join Heidi and me in praying for all involved as the search and rescue is underway,” he posted on X.

The FAA confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, was on approach to Runway 33 when it collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the accident.

Emergency response teams, including the Metropolitan Police Department and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, were deployed swiftly to conduct search and rescue operations. Boats are actively scanning the Potomac River, searching for potential survivors.

In response to the crash, the Reagan National Airport posted an update on 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.”

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran also reacted to the incident, noting that the passenger plane had departed from Wichita, Kansas. “Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved,” he posted on X.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to carry out their duties effectively. Multiple agencies are working together in a coordinated effort to manage the crisis and provide assistance.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and further updates are awaited.