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UPDATE: 7:50 a.m. EST
Authorities have confirmed that there are expected to be no survivors. 30 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage.

The U.S. Figure Skating Organization confirmed that figure skaters, families, and coaches who were returning from the national championships were aboard the plane.

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” the organization said in a statement.

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

Russian media reports that two Russian figure skaters were also on board. Early reports say that 1994 world pair champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on the plane, but that news is yet to be confirmed.

UPDATE: 1:21 a.m. EST
D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser hosted a press conference at Raegan Washington National Airport around 1 a.m. EST. Bowser confirmed previously released details about the crash and the number of people involved (64 aboard the American Airlines flight and 3 soldiers on the Army helicopter) but would not address fatalities or answer questions about survivors.

Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said that the airport will be closed until at least 11 a.m. EST Thursday.

Bowser said there would be more briefings at daylight. Fire and rescue teams are continuing to work into the night to recover passengers from both aircraft.

UPDATE: 12:49 a.m. EST
President Donald Trump issued a second statement regarding the crash on Truth Social. In the post, Trump raised questions about the accident and stated that it “looks like it should have been prevented.

UPDATE: 12:00 a.m. EST
Law enforcement has confirmed fatalities, and rescuers have not yet pulled any survivors from the water, according to CNN. A police scanner has confirmed that 19 bodies have been recovered so far. Early reports of four survivors being rescued are now in question.

UPDATE: 11:31 p.m. EST
Washington media report that the plane is immersed in about seven feet of water and split in two. The helicopter is upside down in the water, and rescue crews have been unable to reach it due to its instability. Divers from the D.C. police and fire departments are continuing to search for survivors.

UPDATE: 11:19 p.m. EST
President Donald Trump has issued a statement regarding the tragic crash near Washington, D.C. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the message.

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport,” Trump said in a statement. “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.”

ORIGINAL STORY:
Search and rescue operations are underway in the Potomac River after a passenger jet collided with a helicopter as it approached the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

According to the FAA, “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. local time.”

The jet was an American Airlines flight inbound from Wichita, Kansas. Reports indicate that both aircraft entered the water after impact.

First responders raced to the scene, but ice and frigid temperatures are making rescue and recovery efforts difficult. Water temperatures at the crash site register 35 degrees F, making it both difficult and dangerous for rescue personnel.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall reported that 60 passengers were aboard the plane.

“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families,” Marshall added in a post made to X. “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.”

American Airlines has confirmed the passenger count and added that 4 crew members were also aboard the jet. The Army reports that 3 people were aboard the helicopter.

As of press time, 4 survivors have reportedly been rescued from the Potomac River and transported to area hospitals.

Local media report that roughly 100 ambulances are currently on the scene in hopes that more survivors will be found.

🚨 NOW: MASSIVE emergency response for the commercial plane crash at Reagan National Airport

At least 100 ambulances are now on the scene. pic.twitter.com/sqdOYcYE5d

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 30, 2025

This is a developing story.

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