A regional passenger plane collided midair with a US military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, prompting the suspension of all flights from the airport and a large-scale emergency response.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, flying in from Kansas, was approaching Reagan National when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter around 9pm local time.

There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the civilian aircraft, according to American Airlines. The US Army helicopter had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, a US defense official told CNN. The number of fatalities remains unclear, as emergency personnel from multiple agencies continue the search for possible survivors.

DC Fire and EMS previously said that fireboats and other emergency personnel were responding after a “small aircraft” had gone down in the Potomac River.
The airport announced that all takeoffs and landings were halted due to an “aircraft emergency”. However, the terminal remained open to passengers.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to perform their duties.