It had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, and was impacted as it approached the airport to land.
Three soldiers were onboard the military helicopter, according to D.C. MayorMuriel Bowser.
Bowser acknowledged that the nations capital is grieving along with families in Kansas and across the country.
Rescue workers near the Potomac River after a passenger jet collided with a military helicopter.Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images
This morning we all share a profound sense of grief, she said.
D.C. fire and EMS chief John Donnelly confirmed it is unlikely that there are any survivors.
The collision took place shortly before 9 p.m.
ET on Wednesday night.
The FBIs Washington Field Office dive team is assisting with the efforts,according to CNN.
Last night, Donnelly said that conditions are dangerous and search-and-rescue will likely take several days.
The challenges are access, Donnelly said.
Im confident that we will do that, he told reporters.
It will take us a little bit of time.
It may involve some more equipment.
Figure Skating confirmed in a statement that several members of our skating community were onboard the passenger flight.
We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims families closely in our hearts.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.
Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed, Peskov said, per theAssociated Press.
There were other fellow citizens there.
Bad news today from Washington.
Its a heartbreak beyond measure.
The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.
Why didnt the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.
This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.
A cause for the collision has yet to be determined.
Absolutely tragic, he wrote.
Search and rescue efforts still ongoing.
Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families.
Audio from air traffic control was obtainedby Reutersvia LiveATC.net, a source for in-flight recording.
Another added, Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river.
It was probably out in the middle of the river.
I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone.
I havent seen anything since they hit the river.
But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit.
He said both aircrafts have been located, with the jet broken into three sections in waist-deep water.
Safety is our expectation, Duffy said.
That didnt happen last night.
He added that the Trump administration would not rest until they had answers.
Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft, he said.
We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
This morning he added that the airlines focus was on supporting all of those involved.
Fatal commercial aircraft crashes are unusual in the U.S.
