DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed Thursday that both aircraft involved in a midair collision have crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport. The accident involved an American Airlines regional jet carrying 64 people and a US Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers on board. “both aircraft are in the water,” and that 64 people were aboard the American Airlines plane and three were in the military helicopter.

“The focus now is rescuing people, and that’s what all of our personnel are focused on,” Bowser said.

She declined to comment on recovery efforts or the investigation, which she said will be led by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was a Bombardier CRJ700 jet that took off from Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday. It collided with the military helicopter while approaching the runway.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with support from the FAA. The agency stressed that its initial reports are subject to change.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescue teams are focusing on finding survivors. The FBI’s Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team is assisting in recovering victims from the river.

A prayer vigil will be held at Wichita City Council Chambers on Thursday at 12 p.m. CT, according to the Kansas Aviation Museum. The museum expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

Reagan National Airport Closed

Due to the crash, Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m., the FAA announced. All flights in and out of the airport have been suspended.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that emergency crews responded immediately to the crash, with support from neighboring agencies.

Investigation and Reactions

The US Army Black Hawk was on a training flight at the time of the collision. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is sending a team to assist the NTSB’s investigation.

Former President Donald Trump called the crash "a bad situation that should have been prevented" in a post on Truth Social.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the investigation continues.