Nearly 60 people were onboard an American Airlines flight when it crashed with a military helicopter Wednesday night.
Flight 5342, which originated in Wichita, Kansas, was landing at Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington DC when it collided with the Sikorksy H-60 Black Hawk helicopter just before 9pm.
The helicopter was carrying three soldiers at the time, a US Department of Defense official told CNN.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department said it is working with the DC Fire Department and emergency responders to coordinate a ‘search and rescue operation in the Potomac River.’
No fatalities were reported as of Wednesday evening, but NBC Washington reports that at least four people had to be pulled to safety by rescue crews.
The crash prompted officials at the international airport to halt all flights as the rescue efforts continue.
Meanwhile, officials within the Trump administration have said they are monitoring the situation, and newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on social media that he is at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters.
DailyMail.com breaks down everything to know about the horrific crash.
Flight 5342, which originated in Wichita, Kansas , was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC when it collided with the Sikorksy H-60 Black Hawk helicopter just before 9pm
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department said it is working with the DC Fire Department and emergency responders to coordinate a ‘search and rescue operation in the Potomac River’
How many people were onboard the aircrafts?
American Airlines has confirmed there were 60 people onboard Flight 5432, which was also carrying four crew members when it crashed.
The Bombardier CRJ700 could have had up to 65 passengers, however, according to the American Airlines website.
‘Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,’ the airline said in a statement.
‘We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.’
It then urged anyone who believes their family may have been on the flight to call the airline’s toll-free phone number.
Defense officials, meanwhile, have said there were three soldiers onboard the military helicopter, which senior Army officials often use for transport around the nation’s capitol.
Where did the aircrafts originate from?
American Airlines Flight 5342 departed from Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport at 5.18pm and was scheduled to land at Reagan International at 9.03pm, according to tracking information from the airline.
It was on its final approach to Runway 33 and was at an altitude of about 300 feet when the collision happened.
The Black Hawk helicopter had originated from Langley, Virginia – the home of the CIA.
