An American Airlines jet with 64 people aboard collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Army helicopter carrying three soldiers while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport, crashing into the Potomac River on Wednesday night.

Airport preferred by Washington lawmakers and lobbyists lies in some of the most congested airspace in the country.

Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight. The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds after that, the two aircraft collided.

An American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter crashing into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport (DCA) Wednesday night.

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A small aircraft crashed in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport late Wednesday, and fire boats were on the scene, the Washington fire department said.

A small aircraft has crashed in the Potomac River near the vicinity of Reagan National Airport, according to officials.

On final approach into Reagan National it collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said. “At this time we don’t know why

The crash on Wednesday night near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport involved an American Airlines flight from Wichita and a Black Hawk helicopter. No one is believed to have survived the crash.

Officials said a search and rescue operation is underway, adding there is no information on any casualties at this time.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A small aircraft crashed in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport late Wednesday, and fire boats were on the scene, the Washington fire department said.

The plan to add five incoming and five outgoing flights was included in the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act last year.

Search and rescue operations have turned into a recovery mission after an American Airlines passenger plane and an Army helicopter collided Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan National Airport.