Plane collides in midair with a military helicopter and crashes into the Potomac River in Washington, DC

        • 60 passengers, 4 crew members were on plane, while 3 US soldiers were on helicopter

        • A total of 18 bodies have been recovered so far, according to the local media

• Media reports suggest this could be the deadliest air disaster in the U.S. in 15 years.

• Kansas Senator Roger Marshall fears that 60 residents from his state may be among the victims.

• Around 300 rescuers are at the crash site, with a search operation expected to last for hours.

• Preliminary reports indicate air traffic control error may have caused the crash. Just before

Impact, the controller asked the helicopter crew if they had visual contact with the airliner. The pilot confirmed and requested a “visual separation maneuver”—but the helicopter remained at the same altitude as the descending Bombardier jet.

• Washington Reagan National Airport halts all flights