American jet, army helicopter midair collision claims over a dozen lives near Washington

At least 18 people have been reported dead after a passenger jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night,

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said on social media that "we know there are fatalities," though he did not say how many.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said a PSA Airlines regional jet collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Reagan. A US Army official confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash.

PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the FAA. According to American Airlines' website, the jet can carry up to 65 passengers.

Police said multiple agencies were involved in a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport.

The airport said late on Wednesday that all takeoffs and landings had been halted as emergency personnel responded to an aircraft incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering more information on the incident.

There has not been a fatal US passenger airplane accident since February 2009, but a series of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised serious safety concerns.

American Airlines said on social media that it was "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."

American Airlines said 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the commercial jet.

"American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA," the airline said in a statement. "There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft."

Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, a US official said.

Hours after the tragedy, President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, and wrote: "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn't the helicopter go up or down, or turn.

"Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"

Sara Nelson, president of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents flight attendants of American Airlines regional subsidiary PSA, said: "Our union is responding to the tragic midair collision of PSA Flight 5342 with a military helicopter. Two AFA Flight Attendants were crewing the flight. 

"While we mobilize to support the families and crews directly affected by this incident, we are also sending strength to all first responders doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety."

The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents PSA pilots, said: "We are shocked and saddened by the tragic accident at DCA tonight. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and ALPA's accident investigation team is responding to assist the National Transportation Safety Board in their investigation."

Later, at a news conference, Washington, DC, fire chief John Donnelly said that at least 300 first responders were continuing to work on the "highly complex" rescue operation.

"Conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders," Donnelly said. "It's cold. They're dealing with windy conditions."

Asked by reporters whether there were any survivors, he responded that "we don't know yet."

Around 1:30am ET, a Reuters reporter near the airport saw a helicopter circling in the sky and shining a spotlight into the water. A boat with a rescue team floated by with those aboard peering into the water with a flashlight.

Earlier, dozens of police, ambulance and rescue units, some ferrying boats, staged along the river and raced to positions along the tarmac of Reagan airport. Live TV images showed several boats in the water, flashing blue and red lights.

Airports authority CEO Jack Potter said the airport would remain closed until at least 11am on Thursday.