US plane-military chopper midair collision near Washington kills 18

At least 18 people were killed when a passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair over Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, according to Fox News.

The passenger jet from Kansas crashed into Washington's Potomac River after the tragic collision prompting a major emergency response and grounding all flights, according to officials.

President Donald Trump "has been made aware of this situation and tragically it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News.

There was no immediate information about how many people were aboard either aircraft or about casualties, but the plane involved, a Bombardier regional jet, can carry up to 78 passengers, AFP reported.

The Federal Aviation Authority ordered the grounding of all planes at Reagan airport, and Washington's police said on X that "multiple agencies" were responding to the crash site in the Potomac.

Police said fireboats had joined the operation on the Potomac River, where any work was complicated by the fact it was dark and close to freezing. Dozens of fire trucks could be seen headed toward the airport.

The FAA said a PSA Airlines Bombardier regional jet "collided in midair" with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter as it approached for landing at Reagan at around 9 pm. The plane had left from Wichita, Kansas.

PSA Airlines is a subsidiary of American Airlines. The Sikorsky H-60, commonly known as the Blackhawk, can carry as many as up to 15 people including crew.

On its website, American Airlines said in a statement: "We're aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available."

American Airlines said 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the commercial jet.

"American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA," the airline said in a statement. "There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft."

Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, a US official said.

Hours after the tragedy, President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, and wrote: "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. 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!!!"

Sara Nelson, president of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents flight attendants of American Airlines regional subsidiary PSA, said: "Our union is responding to the tragic midair collision of PSA Flight 5342 with a military helicopter. Two AFA Flight Attendants were crewing the flight.

"While we mobilize to support the families and crews directly affected by this incident, we are also sending strength to all first responders doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety."

The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents PSA pilots, said: "We are shocked and saddened by the tragic accident at DCA tonight. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and ALPA's accident investigation team is responding to assist the National Transportation Safety Board in their investigation."

Later, at a news conference, Washington, DC, fire chief John Donnelly said that at least 300 first responders were continuing to work on the "highly complex" rescue operation.

"Conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders," Donnelly said. "It's cold. They're dealing with windy conditions."

Asked by reporters whether there were any survivors, he responded that "we don't know yet."

Around 1:30am ET, a Reuters reporter near the airport saw a helicopter circling in the sky and shining a spotlight into the water. A boat with a rescue team floated by with those aboard peering into the water with a flashlight.

Earlier, dozens of police, ambulance and rescue units, some ferrying boats, staged along the river and raced to positions along the tarmac of Reagan airport. Live TV images showed several boats in the water, flashing blue and red lights.

Airports authority CEO Jack Potter said the airport would remain closed until at least 11am on Thursday.