Passenger plane, helicopter collide near near Washington’s Reagan Airport

WORLD, Jan. 30 (YPA) – A US military helicopter collided with a passenger plane carrying 60 people near Reagan Airport outside Washington, as rescue teams continue to search for survivors.

The passenger plane was American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA airlines, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement.

The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, was due to land at the airport outside of Washington, DC, Wednesday evening when it collided midair with the US Army helicopter as it approached the runway, according to the FAA and defense officials.

Meanwhile, CNN reported, citing the airline, that there were 60 passengers and a crew of 4 on board the plane, while the military helicopter, belonging to the US Army, had three soldiers on board.

The Washington D.C. police announced the start of a search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies in the Potomac River following the incident.

The exact number of casualties has not yet been disclosed.

@E.Y.M