In pictures: Fatal collision between passenger jet and helicopter near Washington, DC

 

Emergency response units assess airplane wreckage in the Potomac River on Thursday, January 30.

A large-scale search operation is underway following a midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, just outside Washington, DC, late Wednesday night.

The plane, American Airlines Flight 5342, was carrying 64 people. The helicopter was carrying three soldiers.

Emergency personnel are conducting search and rescue efforts in the Potomac River, where the plane and helicopter crashed, with authorities warning the operation will likely take days. Fatalities have been confirmed, and rescuers have not yet recovered any survivors from the river, a law enforcement source said.

A person looks on as emergency service vehicles operate near the site of the crash on Wednesday, January 29

People walk through the virtually empty Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

A police car drives past Reagan Washington National Airport.

A helicopter uses its searchlight as it flies above the Potomac River.

Emergency crews respond to the crash site. 

Emergency response units assemble on the tarmac as search and rescue operations are underway in the Potomac River.