What we know about American Airlines Crash in Washington DC

Hundreds of emergency staff are searching in the Potomac River after a Midair -collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger aircraft near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC.

Reports about the crash outside the airport showed up shortly after 7 p.m. 21.30, local time.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that an American Airlines aircraft with 64 people on board approached the runway at the airport when it collided with Sikorsky H-60 ​​helicopter.

There are reports of more deaths and authorities have confirmed that they are performing a large search and rescue operation.

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What happened?

Reagan Airport announced that it had stopped all the starts and landings when the authorities participated in the stage just north of the airport after 7 p.m. 20.47.

It is understood that the plane was on its way from Wichita in Kansas and approached a runway at Reagan Airport when the collision took place.

The helicopter flew south.

A spokesperson for the Washington military district said the helicopter had been on a training flight at the time of the incident after starting from Fort Belvoir.

US media has reported air traffic recordings showing controllers who asked the helicopter if it had the plane in sight, and instruct it to pass behind the landing aircraft.

A crew of the helicopter allegedly agreed that the aircraft was in sight and requested “visual separation” with the incoming plan, which allowed it to fly closer than otherwise allowed if the pilots did not see the aircraft.

The controllers approved the request.

Shortly afterwards, riots are heard on the sound, and seconds later, controllers begin to divert planes away from the disaster scene.

The wrecks of both aircraft remain in the Potomac River.

Who was on board?

Four American Airlines crew was on board as well as 60 passengers.

The helicopter was identified as a black Hawk military helicopter and had three soldiers on board.

In a statement, US aviation manager Robert Isom said the company had set up a hotline for people who may have dear on board the flight.

“Our concern is for passengers and crew on board the plane. We are in contact with the authorities and help with emergencies,” he said.

Authorities are working to pick up possible survivors from the wreck, but many are still eagerly waiting to hear from family members.

Hamaad Raza told the local CBS -linked Wusa that he was at the airport waiting for his wife.

“She texted me that she landed in 20 minutes,” he said.

“The rest of my text didn’t … wasn’t delivered. That was when I realized something could be up.

“I’m just praying for someone to pull her out of the river right now.”

Where did the crash happen?

Reagan Airport is in the middle of Washington DC and is one of the most closely controlled airspace in the country because of its proximity to official American buildings like the White House.

It sits close to the Potomac River, a body of water that cuts through the country’s capital and has been exposed to freezing temperatures in recent weeks.

Authorities believe that the aircraft came in to land at runway 33 before the collision.

Due to the position of the crash, authorities will work through the night to launch inflatable lifeboats along George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport, to access Potomac.

What is the next?

A large-scale search-and-rescue operation remains in progress at Potomac.

The first respondents have created lightweight towers from the coast to elucidate the area.

Officials did not announce any death at an official press conference earlier in the evening, and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser would not say if any organs have been recovered from the crash.

Washington DC Fire and EMS chief John Donnelly said that divers are now searching both aircraft in Potomac.

The river is 2.4 meters deep where the plane crashed.

“This incident has grown and there are currently about 300 respondents working,” said Mr Donnelly.

“We have from both the region – police and fire boats.

“We will reassess the situation in the morning … but we’re out there tonight and we’re working.”

Some passengers have been allowed to leave from other aircraft that have stopped on the tarmac while Reagan Airport remains closed.

It must be opened again at. 11 Thursday.

With wires