An airborne incident occurred at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC involving an American Airlines aircraft and a helicopter, causing the plane to land in the Potomac River. Several fireboats arrived at the scene to initiate search and rescue operations, while helicopters from regional agencies flew over the area looking for possible survivors.
So far, there was no information about possible casualties, and all departures and arrivals at the airport were suspended. The White House issued a statement informing that President Donald Trump was aware of the accident and asked the public not to obstruct ongoing emergency operations.
According to statements from spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Fox News, the accident apparently involved a military helicopter and a regional plane. The Trump Administration expressed its solidarity with all those affected and requested the community to cooperate with local authorities.
The Washington DC Police Department was conducting a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, where it is estimated that the plane fell after the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the regional plane from PSA Airlines collided in the air with a helicopter while approaching the airport.
The FAA mentioned that the information provided was preliminary and could change as the investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) progressed. A video from a nearby camera showed two sets of lights merging into a fireball. President Trump was informed of the situation and attributed the incident to bad weather. The airfield remained closed until further notice.
