An American Airlines commercial plane with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard, collided with an army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three crew members, near Washington DC in the United States.
A military official said the army helicopter was on a training flight.
The American Eagle Flight 5342 was approaching the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night when the accident occurred.
The flight was arriving from Wichita, Kansas and was flying at an altitude of about 300 feet at the time of the collision, according to FlightRadar24.
Advertisement
Robert Isom, American Airlines CEO, said in a video message that he will travel to the scene of the crash alongside a team from the airline, “shortly”.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,” the airline said in a statement.
“We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”
The accident is one of the worst air disasters in the US in more than 15 years. Search and rescue operations are still under way at the nearby Potomac River.
US President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the incident, while thanking first responders for their “incredible work”.
In pictures: Rescue workers battle rough conditions in search for survivors
An extensive search and rescue operation is currently underway in the Potomac river.
It is late into the night in Washington DC, and emergency services chief John Donnelly has warned that conditions are “extremely rough” amid little light and icy temperatures.
At the scene, rescue workers can be seen climbing over parts of the commercial flight that have been broken up in the water.
