ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) — DC Fire and EMS (DCFD) said an American Airlines aircraft crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night.
In a joint statement from DCFD and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officials said that multiple calls came in for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport (DCA) just after 8:50 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that preliminarily, investigators believe that a regional jet with American Airlines that was approaching DCA’s runways collided with a military helicopter.
The Army UH-60 helicopter was based out of Fort Belvoir, Va., U.S. Army officials told DC News Now.
The plane had departed from Kansas and was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, according to American Airlines.
In a statement, the airline said it is “in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”
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 statement
Fireboats responded to the scene along with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), United States Park Police, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue System, the FBI Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad and other agencies from surrounding jurisdictions.
Officials said that other agencies were coordinating search and rescue in the river.
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said DCFD is making water rescues and is asking people to stay away from the area to allow first responders space to work.
All take-offs and landings were halted at DCA as emergency personnel responded to the incident.
As of 10 p.m., Sen. Ted Cruz, (R-Tx.) said “there are fatalities.”
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation with help from the FAA.
In a news conference in Kansas at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport where the American Airlines plane took off, officials said rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing as of 11 p.m. They said they had not contacted any families of the passengers onboard.
Anyone who believes they may have had a loved one on board Flight 5342 should call American Airlines at 800-679-8215.
Anyone from outside the U.S. can click here for additional phone numbers.
Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands should call 800-679-8215.
