An American Airlines regional passenger jet was involved in a collision with a military helicopter during its landing approach at Reagan National Airport in Washington.

Emergency services in the city are searching the Potomac River near the airport following the incident just before 9pm on Wednesday night. 

The airline has verified that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board Flight 5342 traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to the nation’s capital at the time of the incident.

NBC Washington are reporting that at least four people have been pulled to safety by rescue crews from the water.

Reports suggest that the aircraft broke into two parts and is currently submerged in approximately seven feet of water, while the military helicopter is overturned and in an unstable condition.

The Federal Aviation Authority said that the jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, collided with a Sikorksy H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Runway 33. 

Defense officials have confirmed that the Black Hawk was an Army chopper that was carrying three soldiers at the time.

In audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, a controller is heard asking the helicopter, ‘PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,’ in reference to the passenger aircraft.

‘Tower, did you see that?’ another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision. The tower immediately began diverting other aircraft from Reagan.

In a statement, DC Police said: ‘At 8:53pm, multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River. 

‘DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.  

The airport said in a post to X: ‘All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update.’ 

Images taken at the scene show scores of emergency service teams along the riverside.  

Footage has also emerged online of helicopters with search lights passing over the Potomac River. 

Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball. 

Flightradar tracking data shows the final approach of the flight as it crosses over the Potomac, before it cuts out. 

NBC Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said that at the time of the incident the water temperature in the river was around 37 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Kammerer said that at that temperature someone in the water has only 15 to 20 minutes before they start suffering from hypothermia.  

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall posted to his X saying: ‘I’ve seen the reports of a collision with a D.C. helicopter and an inbound flight from Wichita, KS. 

‘We are in contact with authorities working to get answers. We ask you to join us in prayer for every single passenger and their families.’

The White House has also confirmed the nature of the crash, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirming live on air that President Trump had been made aware of the crash. 

Trump said in a statement: ‘I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. 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.’

American Airlines said in a statement: ‘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.’ 

In a post to X, Vice President JD Vance said: ‘Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. 

‘We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.’

An FAA statement said: ‘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. 

‘PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.  The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.’

DailyMail.com has approached the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for more information. 

American Airlines has asked that anybody that believes they had loved ones on the flight to call 800-679-8215.