Editor’s notes: This is a developing story. Be sure to check back or refresh this article for continuing updates. D.C. officials are now scheduled to provide another update at 6:30 a.m. CT.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – American Airlines said American Eagle Flight 5342, en route from Wichita to Washington, D.C. Reagan National Airport (DCA), was involved in an accident and landed in the Potomac River. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that preliminary investigators believe “a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. (EST) local time. PSA was operating Flight 5342 as American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.”

American Airlines said 60 passengers and four crew members were on board the aircraft. The helicopter was carrying three people.

27 people traveling on American Airlines jet confirmed dead

First responders have recovered the bodies of 27 passengers from the American Airlines jet that collided with the helicopter, officials say.

The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also found.

Officials said they were still searching for other casualties but did not believe there were any other survivors, which would make it the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.

U.S. figure skaters were onboard

The U.S. Figure Skating National Championships were recently held in Wichita. A spokesperson confirmed with KSN News at 1:45 a.m. that members of the skating community were on the flight.

Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were aboard the plane, along with other Russian nationals, according to The Kremlin.

Shishkova and Naumov are listed as professional pairs coaches on the website of the Skating Club of Boston. Their son, Maxim Naumov, is a competitive figure skater for the U.S.

American Airlines Flight 5342 was inbound to Reagan National at an altitude of about 400 feet and a speed of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, according to data from its radio transponder. The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet, manufactured in 2004, can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers.

A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National, and the pilots said they were able. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway.

Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight. The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds after that, the two aircraft collided.

The plane’s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway, roughly over the middle of the river.

The U.S. Army described the helicopter as a UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. The helicopter was on a training flight. Military aircraft frequently conduct training flights in and around the congested and heavily restricted airspace around the nation’s capital for familiarization and continuity of government planning.

“While performing a training mission a United States Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., collided in midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet Flight 5342 last night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA, NTSB and the United States Army will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We are working with local officials and will provide any additional information once it becomes available,” said Ron McLendon II, Deputy Director, JTF-NCR/USAMDW Public Affairs, at 6 a.m. on Thursday.

The Trump administration’s newest agency leaders. Pete Hegseth, sworn in days ago as defense secretary, posted on social media that an investigation has been “launched immediately” by the Army and the Defense Department. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, just sworn in earlier this week, said in a social media post that he was “at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.”

The last fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York. Everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane was killed, including 45 passengers, 2 pilots and 2 flight attendants. Another person on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 50. An investigation determined that the captain accidentally caused the plane to stall as it approached the airport in Buffalo.

10 p.m. media briefing at ICT

The City of Wichita will hold a media briefing at City Hall at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30. You can watch the live stream here .

Midnight media briefing at DCA

The mayor of Washington D.C., Muriel Bowser, hosted a media briefing alongside officials and lawmakers just before midnight.

According to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, Sr., at 8:48 p.m. local time, an alert was sounded, initiating a large regional response to the report of an aircraft crash on approaching the airport. First responders arrived 10 minutes later, found an aircraft in the water, and began rescue operations.

Donnelly says there are about 300 first responders on the scene.

“Our fire department, D.C. Fire and EMS, supported by fire departments and police departments from across the Washington metropolitan region, are executing a rescue operation in the Potomac River,” said Bowser. “They are working diligently in very dark and cold conditions, cold water, to execute this rescue operation.”

“When one person dies, it’s a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die, it’s an unbearable sorrow,” said Marshall.

“It is certainly true that in Kansas and in Wichita in particular, we are going to know people who are on this flight, know their family members, know somebody, so this is a very personal circumstance as well as an official response,” said Moran.

All take-offs and landings were currently halted at DCA. The airport also announced that it will be closed until at least 5 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, and they are not expecting flights to resume until at least 11 a.m. local time.

Support

If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215 . Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.

“ICT has activated the Family Incident Support Team located in the media room on the second floor of the terminal where families can meet, get support and wait for information as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are impacted by this tragic event,” said ICT.

The Kansas Aviation Museum announced that a vigil will be held at the Wichita City Council Chambers on Thursday, Jan. 30, at noon. All are welcome to join in prayer and support for our community.

American Airlines officials are headed to DCA to speak with families.

Statements

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which 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,” said Trump.

“ Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare. A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. There are no words that can make telling this story any easier. I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident. I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded ,” said Sen. Roger Marshall.

“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 ,” said Sen. Jerry Moran.

“ Just received a call from an American Airlines spokesperson who confirmed that there was an incident involving the flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, DC. No additional information at this time but they will keep me informed with the latest ,” said Wichita Mayor Wu on Facebook. “ Please pray for all involved .”

“ I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport. I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available ,” said Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Facebook .

“ My team and I are actively monitoring updates related to the collision of the Wichita flight and a DC helicopter. Audrey and I are praying for the safety of the passengers, flight crew, and everyone involved. Please join us in praying ,” said Rep. Tracey Mann.

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