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.

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.

A massive search operation is underway after a passenger aircraft carrying 64 people collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, DC, according to aviation and defense officials.

A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National and the pilots said they were able. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway.

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.

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

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.

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 Star Editorial Board thinks Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, member of a subcommittee on aviation, can and should lead the way in re-examining air safety.