At least 19 bodies have been recovered after a passenger plane collided with a helicopter in Washington.

The American Airlines Aircraft with 64 people on board plunged into the Potomac River after the crash and a major rescue operation is underway.

The jet was identified as a PSA Airlines service (flight 5342) operating for American Airlines - which was flying from the city of Wichita in Kansas.

The mid-air collision happened as the jet was making its final approach to Reagan International Airport.

The US Military says three soldiers were on board the chopper.

View from the edge: Scenes from the vicinity of a tragic midair collision outside Reagan National Airport. 29/01/2025 Image: © Natascha Tahabsem/ZUMA Press Wire

Sky's Correspondent David Blevins said the understanding is that 60 passengers were on board the flight with a crew of four.

“The US Army is confirming that three of its personnel were on board the Black Hawk helicopter,” he said.

Local police said on social media that "a multi-agency search and rescue operation is under way".

US President Donald Trump has releases a statement after being briefed on the plane crash.

Departure signs display an "Emergency Alert" in the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 29/01/2025  (AP Photo/Jeannie Ohm)

Trump's statement, released by the White House, said: “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."

However, the US President also took to his social media site Truth Social, where he said: “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport.

“The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.

“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn.

“Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.

“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”

Family of those on the PSA Airlines flight are arriving at the airport to receive news about their loved ones.

Emergency response after American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a Blackhawk helicopter by DCA airport on Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Joshua Sukoff/Medill News Service)