In an early morning (US time) press briefing, officials offered few details on the status of victims.
“I can’t say anything about the rescue operation right now,” said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, as reporters continued to press for updates on the passengers.
Officials say rescue efforts have been hampered by rough conditions.Credit: Getty Images
She also declined to comment on the condition of the aircraft, which remains submerged in the Potomac River.
Asked if there are any survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, responded: “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”
Donnelly said conditions are “extremely rough for responders,” with cold weather and intense wind.
The plane was heading for Reagan National at an altitude of about 400 feet, at about 225km/h, when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the river, according to data from its radio transponder.
In audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, AP reports, a controller can be 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 the airport.
All take-offs and landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have been halted.
The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet involved in the collision was manufactured in 2004 and can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers.
The helicopter was an Army UH-60 out of Fort Belvoir in Virginia, Major Montrell Russell at the Office of Chief of Public Affairs said in an army statement.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she would deploy all available resources from the US Coast Guard for search and rescue efforts.
Ronald Reagan Airport is in the heart of the United States capital and near major federal institutions including the White House and Congress. It is also across the river from the Pentagon – the US Department of Defence – in Arlington, Virginia.
AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
