Image source, National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington

Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing overnight in the area where the collision occurred, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Lows are forecast to be about -1 to -2C (27 to 29F) around the area, NWS says.

As we've reported, the plane fell into the Potomac River after the crash, according to emergency services.

Washington DC has seen frigid temperatures in recent weeks, with ice covering parts of the Potomac River, though Wednesday was one of the warmest days of the year so far.

Weather conditions will be a crucial factor in the rescue mission.

Three US Army soldiers were onboard the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with the passenger jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, an official has told the BBC's US partner, CBS.

Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters news agency the status of the soldiers is unknown, but added that no senior officials were on the helicopter.

More than a quarter of the passengers traveling through Reagan National fly on American Airlines, the most of any commercial air carrier there.

The airline served more than 6 million passengers at the airport for the 12 months that ended in October, according to government statistics, external.

Those numbers include many members of Congress as well as federal staff and journalists.

Rachel Looker
Reporting from Washington, DC

I just spoke with one of my neighbours, Josie, at our building near Reagan National. She said the flight that crashed appeared to be minutes from landing at the airport.

“All of their people are there, whoever is picking them up" from the terminal, she predicted.

Those who gathered on the roof all stared at the crash in shock and disbelief.

As I went back inside, more were coming to take a closer look. "It's so sad," Josie said.

We're starting to get some political reaction to the news of the collision.

Senator Jerry Moran, who represents the state of Kansas, says he is in contact with authorities following the crash - which involves an American Airlines flight coming from Wichita, Kansas.

"Please join me in praying for all involved," Moran writes in a post on X.

Congressman Don Beyer, a representative for Northern Virginia, says he is also in touch with airport officials, adding: "This is obviously very worrying, but I urge the community to please let first responders do their jobs and save lives."

Fireboats are at the scene searching the Potomac River near to Ronald Reagan National Airport where the mid-air collision occurred.

Emergency services are searching for casualties - you can see the size of the response below.

The vice-president JD Vance posted on X that he is monitoring the collision but hoping for the best.

"Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening," he wrote on X, external. "We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best."

Authorities have not said whether anyone has been injured or killed in the collision.

Newly confirmed defence secretary Pete Hegseth says that the Pentagon is "actively monitoring" the situation.

"Poised to assist if needed. Prayers for all involved," he posted on X.

A US Army official confirmed to the BBC's US news partner CBS that an Army helicopter was involved in the incident.

New Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy says he is at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters in Washington DC, and "closely monitoring the situation".

He was confirmed one day ago.

The FAA has said it will investigate the crash with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Earlier, we brought you the initial statement from the FAA which confirmed the commercial passenger jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter - also known as a Black Hawk.

A US Army official has confirmed to the BBC's US partner, CBS News that an Army Black Hawk was involved in the collision.

DC Police have issued a statement saying multiple calls were received at 20:53 EST (01:53GMT) abut an aircraft crash above the Potomac River. Police say there is no confirmed information about casualties at this time.

Multiple agencies are coordinating search and rescue operations in the Potomac River.

Sixty passengers and four crew members were on the American Airlines plane that crashed near Washington's Reagan National Airport, CBS news, the BBC's US partner, reports.

Image source, EPA

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) has grounded all flights while emergency services respond to the mid-air crash.

"All take-offs and landings have been halted at DCA," the airport said on X.

"Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open."

Separately, American Airlines has said it was aware of reports of an incident near the Reagan National Airport involving a flight operated by PSA from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington.

"We will provide information as it becomes available," American Airlines said on X.

The plane that crashed - a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 - can hold around 65 passengers depending on the configuration of the jet.

It's unclear how many may have been on board at the time of the collision.

The aircraft was being used for a commercial flight by American Airlines and was heading to Washington from Kansas.

Rachel Looker
Reporting from Washington, DC

I’m on the roof of my apartment building in northern Virginia across from the airport.

I was surprised to see about a dozen of my neighbours standing along the railing to watch the clusters of emergency lights.

We’ve been hearing sirens as emergency response vehicles flock to Reagan. There are two helicopters surrounding the crash scene.

I’ve lived in this building for two years and have never seen this large of an emergency response at the airport. I’m on the Virginia side of the Potomac.

The accident seems to be concentrated closer to the Maryland side of the river.

Let's bring you the full statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

It says: "A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT).

"PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.

"The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.

"We will provide updates as information comes in."

Washington DC emergency crews have swarmed the Reagan National Airport. More than a dozen fire trucks and ambulances can be seen.

The plane crashed in the Potomac River, which weaves through DC, according to the DC Fire and EMS Department, external.

The department said in a post on X that fireboats were scouring the river.

An American Airlines flight has collided in mid-air with a helicopter in Washington DC, the Federal Aviation Administration says.

It happened while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9pm local time, it adds in a statement. Authorities are investigating.

Stay with us for more updates.