Regional jet carrying 64 collides with military helicopter near D.C. – there are a number of fatalities ****UPDATED*****

******This story was updated at 7:00 a.m. 01/30/2025 to say that authorities now say that they expect no survivors. All 67 persons are believed to have perished in the crash.

January 30, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. - A regional jet flying into D.C. from Kansas with 64 on board had in in-air collision with a military helicopter on a training mission as it approached Reagan National Airport.

American Airlines announced that the commercial flight, American Eagle Flight 5432, was en route from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, D.C. The aircraft was a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operated by American Airlines subsidiary PSA Airlines.

"Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts," the airline said.

The Army has confirmed that a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was involved in the crash. The helicopter belonged to Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that both aircraft went in the water, 3 were on board the military helicopter.

A large search-and-rescue operation is underway despite the cold windy conditions.

There are fatalities. The Washington Post is reporting that police are pulling bodies out of the Potomac River.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation.

American Airlines CEO Rober Isom said that they are "cooperating fully" with authorities and the NTSB's investigation.

"Anything we can do now, we're doing," Isom said. "And right now, that means focusing on taking care of all passengers and crew involved as well as their families," Isom said, adding that the airlines had created a hotline for those who believed their family or loved ones were on the flight."

The Army helicopter was found broken up and upside down in the water.

Several members of the U.S. Figure Skating community were aboard the American Airlines jet. Athletes, coaches and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

TASS is reporting that among the victims were several former Russian skaters, including Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, they were the 1994 World Figure Skating Championship pairs winners, and legendary Soviet Union figure skater Inna Volyanskaya.

The incident has shocked and horrified President Donald J. Trump (R).

"The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport," said President Trump on Truth Social. "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!!!"

"What a terrible night this has been, God bless you all" the President added.

Reagan National Airport is closed until at least 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time.

UPDATED: 6:00 a.m. 1/30/2025 - As of now no survivors have been found.

UPDATED: 7:00 a.m. - Authorities say that they expect to find no survivors. All 67 persons are believed to be dead. Over 30 bodies have been recovered at this point.

(Original reporting by the Washington Post, the Hill, TASS, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.)