Trump says he has heard "tapes" - an apparent reference to recordings of air traffic control at the time of the incident.

He says the airliner was "doing everything right" and on the usual "track", but that "for some reason" the helicopter was at the same height and "going at an angle that was unbelievably bad".

"You had a pilot problem from the standpoint of the helicopter," the president says, without specifying what that "problem" was. He adds: "It was a very clear night."

He says he thinks more tapes will be released with visuals of the incident.

Trump then says the helicopter had the ability to stop, go up or down, or turn - "the turn it made was not the correct turn, obviously," he says.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBC

A major theme of President Trump's comments during this news briefing is one that has become a significant feature of his administration so far: the fight against diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI programmes.

Trump has now - explicitly - blamed his predecessors in the Biden administration - particularly former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg - for allegedly hiring people with disabilities and psychological issues for air traffic controller positions.

He hasn't provided any evidence to support his claims.. The Federal Aviation Administration is a large organisation with 35,000 employees - a fraction of whom are air traffic controllers.

"I don't think so," Trump says, remarking on whether he believes those hired in Buttigieg's time were qualified to safely control air traffic.

The FAA, he claims, was "ran into the ground" by DEI hires after it was determined that the agency was "too white".

For context: DEI programmes aim to promote participation in workplaces from people from different backgrounds. Backers say that they address historicalor ongoingdiscrimination and underrepresentation of certain groups, including racial minorities, but critics argue such programmes can themselves be discriminatory.

The president is now turning his attention to policy.

Trump says that he believes that people working in air traffic control should be of the highest intelligence, that it's a job that requires the highest standards.

He points to one of the executive orders he signed upon taking office last week, which he says "restored standards" for air traffic controllers and others.

Trump says we don't know what led to this crash but "we have some very strong opinions and ideas and I think we will probably state those opinions now".

We will find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again, he says, adding that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the US military will be carrying out a comprehensive investigation .

We will work tirelessly to figure out what happened, he says adding "we will state certain opinions".

He also says he is appointing an acting commissioner of the FAA.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBC News

We're hearing more from Donald Trump, who has chosen to address the media directly during the first major domestic accident and crisis of his administration - which is now only in its 10th day.

Flanked by Vice President JD Vance, defence secretary Pete Hegseth and transportation secretary Sean Duffy, Trump began the news conference with a moment of silence for what he termed a "moment of anguish" before reading a statement from the podium.

"We're a country, really, in mourning," he says. "This has really shaken a lot of people."

It's rare to see Trump express much emotion, but the beginning of his comments today were starkly different, with his message today that "we're all one family".

He says he has "ideas" and theories about what happened, although he has acknowledged that the investigation is still in its early days.

Trump also took a swipe at his political foes, this time at Barack Obama for allegedly hiring "mediocre" staff for air traffic control jobs that require "superior intelligence".

Biden, he says, changed them back - putting "politics at a level that nobody has ever seen".

The president says there were Russians onboard the flight, but does not mention any other nationalities.

"We can only begin to imagine the agony that you're all feeling," he says.

He says that "our hearts are shattered alongside yours", adding that "we're here for you to wipe away the tears".

The US president says that "nothing compares to the bond of affection and loyalty" that bonds Americans and nations.

Trump says he speaks "in an hour of anguish for our nation", and the country is "in mourning".

He outlines the situation as it stands - that a commercial American Airlines plane and military Black Hawk helicopter aircraft crashed into one another and then submerged into the Potomac River.

He applauds the search and rescue operation at all levels, and says the mission is now one of recovery - that there are no survivors.

"This has really shaken a lot of people, including people very sadly, from other nations," he says.

Donald Trump takes to the podium in the White House briefing room.

He begins by saying that he'd like to take a moment of silence for the victims and their families. He then bows his head and observes that silence.

President Donald Trump is now delivering remarks at the White House. He is addressing the nation after a passenger plane and military helicopter collision that happened in Washington DC last night.

We'll be bringing you the top lines from the briefing shortly. You can also follow along by pressing watch live above.

Rachel Looker
Reporting from Washington DC

Image source, Reuters

I just watched the first flight land at Reagan Washington National Airport since the fatal crash there on Wednesday night.

This airport reopened at 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The Delta Air Lines flight arrived as two Southwest planes are on the tarmac preparing to take off.

The airport has seen little to no activity since the ground stop on Wednesday night.

Image source, EPA

Let's take you back to a moment from a bit earlier, when Donald Trump's defence secretary addressed last night's fatal crash in Washington in a post on X.

Speaking from his DC office at the US Pentagon, Pete Hegseth said the military helicopter involved in last night's collision had a "fairly experienced crew that was doing a required annual night evaluation".

Speaking in a video on X, external, he said the crew had night vision goggles and that the Department of Defense is investigating "what occurred and why".

"It’s a tragedy, a horrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner, and of course the three soldiers in that Black Hawk [helicopter]," he said.

As we wait to hear the president speak, we can bring you a short clip of the air traffic control radar which shows the moment of last night's crash.

You can see the jet and helicopter moving towards each other before eventually colliding.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBC News

I've just arrived at the White House, where Donald Trump is expected to give a briefing at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT).

It's already buzzing with activity as reporters scramble to get here in time for the briefing.

As I walked in and took my seat, White House staffers were adjusting the podium and checking the microphones.

The only other briefing of this presidency so far, which took place on Tuesday this week, was incredibly busy, with more than 150 journalists crammed into a relatively tight space.

By the time it started, there was standing room only in the passageways on either side of the briefing room's 30 chairs.

Today is promising to be just as busy, and reporters are already squeezing into the aisles.

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBC News

Jasmine Boykin
Reporting from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Hours ago, it was silent in Terminal 1 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with even a whisper seemingly too loud.

But as the first passengers are slowly trickling in, it’s returning to its usual busy scene.

I spoke to a Washington local named Lindsay, who says she is used to seeing congestion air traffic in the area but never thought that she would see something like what took place last night.

“I see Black Hawks constantly. I see flights from Reagan constantly,” Lindsay says. “All occurring at the same time and somewhat seamlessly and fluidly, but this just stops everybody.”

She described the collision as a “freak accident” and added that when she first heard the news, that it hit her “in a tender way".

“It’s just tragic. My heart goes out to everyone involved. I can't even imagine what people are going through.”

Lindsay’s original flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was scheduled to fly out today but it was delayed for a few hours.

She says - barring any security delays - she hopes she will be on one of the first planes to take off.

Image source, Reuters

As we wait to hear from President Donald Trump - who will be addressing the nation live at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT) - we heard earlier that he has been "fully briefed" on the DC collision.

"I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport," writes the president on Truth Social.

An American Airlines flight heading from Wichita, Kansas collided with a military helicopter around 21:00 local time last night in Washington DC near Ronald Reagan National Airport.

The reason for the collision is not yet known. Both aircraft fell into the Potomac River in the US capital, and as we've just heard from the authorities no one survived the crash.

Officials in Wichita have just finished speaking to reporters.

Mayor Lily Wu became tearful when confirming that there are no survivors from the flight, which crashed shortly before it was supposed to land in Washington DC.

Locals in Wichita who have been affected by last night's events were also offered support, although Wu told reporters that she doesn't know yet how many passengers were residents of the city.

We'll continue to unpack what the authorities are saying today in Washington DC and Wichita, so stick with us.

Congressman Ron Estes is now taking a question about the particular route the American Airlines flight was taking from Wichita, Kansas, to DC.

He confirms that it has been in use for a year, stressing that it's important for "us as a community to have connections" and direct ones to popular spots like Washington DC.

Particularly for locations like Reagan National Airport, which he highlights is situated "right there" across from the capital.

He acknowledges that landing at the airport requires skilled pilots, as there are some "twists and turns" when coming out of that airport.

But he adds: "I wouldn't hesitate to continue to fly in and out of Washington Reagan Airport, including on this particular flight and with this particular plane."

Asked who will notify the families of the victims, Estes says it will be the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, alongside American Airlines.

Romo is then asked about coordination efforts on the ground and he again stresses that American Airlines will distribute the flight manifest, a document which details who was on the plane.

Can you tell us about the figure skaters who were on this flight, one reporter asks?

Romo acknowledges that there's been several reports of figure skaters travelling on board the flight on social media but can't confirm their identities at this time.

He is then asked whether impacted families should stay at home or get in touch with airport officials.

Romo says everyone responds to tragedy differently, and says if they are more comfortable coming to the terminal, they are ready to support them in any way they can.

• For context: US and Russian figure skaters were reportedly travelling on the American Airlines flight that crashed in DC

Image source, City of Wichita

Wichita airport director Jesse Romo is now asked about flights. One journalist questions whether everything was normal when the plane took off from Wichita. Romo responds that it was.

He's then asked whether this same flight will operate later. Romo says that he hasn't heard when Reagan Airport will reopen - though it has plans to - and advises travellers to check with American Airlines if they intend to fly.