The Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was carrying roughly 60 passengers, according to Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, who called the collision "devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare."
Vice President JD Vance released a statement on X saying that he is monitoring the situation.
"Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening," he said.
Sen. Ted Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said there are fatalities in the collision.
"While we don’t yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities," Cruz said on X. "Please join Heidi and me in praying for all involved as the search and rescue is underway."
A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The airline was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines, according to the FAA.
The military aircraft was a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, according to two U.S. officials.
The plane had departed from Wichita, Kansas, the FAA said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.