American Airlines plane collides with Black Hawk over the Potomac River

At least 19 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River following the midair collision of an American Airlines plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., AZTV.AZ via BNO News.

American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

First responders have recovered at least 19 bodies from the river. NBC4 initially reported that four victims had been rescued alive, but sources later told CNN that no survivors had been pulled from the water.

American Airlines has confirmed that the flight had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. The Black Hawk was carrying three soldiers, according to the US Army.

The FAA confirmed that the aircraft was operated by Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) on behalf of American Airlines, under the American Eagle joint brand. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas.