American Airlines plane, military helicopter collide near DCA, crash into Potomac River

.................... 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 before 8:50 p.m. Video captures fiery crash above Potomac River 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 three passengers in the helicopter were military personnel. The plane had departed from Kansas and was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, according to American Airlines. Reagan National Airport closed until Friday following plane, military helicopter crash 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. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) 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." Crews unable to save 35-foot vessel from sinking at DC yacht club 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. DCFD Chief John Donnelly said during a news conference at DCA at around 1 a.m., first responders got to the scene at around 8:58 p.m. and immediately began rescue efforts when they saw the two aircrafts in the water. He said 300 first responders are at the scene with boats from throughout the region including the U.S. Coast Guard and state police helicopters from Maryland. "[This is a] really serious and sad circumstance," U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, (R-Kan.) said at the news conference. “I know that flight. I’ve flown it many times myself.” Moran said that flight from Wichita had only been in existence for about a year. “It’s an unbearable sorrow. It’s a heartbreak beyond measure. We care. We wish there was more that we could do," Sen. Roger Marshall, (R-Kan.) said. Jack Potter CEO of Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) said during the news conference that support is being provided to all the families involved. "We're in a rescue mode and we will continue in that rescue mode," Potter said. "We will continue to do our best." Metro helping after plane, military helicopter collide near Reagan National Airport He said the cold and windy conditions are "rough" but rescue and dive crews will continue to work through the night. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said once first responders complete their rescue operations, the National Transportation Safety Board will begin its investigation. She said they could not confirm if there were any survivors as of 1 a.m. Rescue operations will be reevaluated in the morning during daylight. It is estimated to take multiple days, according to Donnelly. How long is the temperature of the Potomac River survivable? 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.