WASHINGTON DC (AP) — An American Airlines jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near the nation’s capital on Wednesday night, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also found. Three soldiers were on board. 

President Donald Trump says there were no survivors. 

Here’s the latest: 

Trump says he thinks FAA diversity hiring has hurt air safety 

President Donald Trump has suggested that the Federal Aviation Administration’s diversity efforts had made air travel less safe. 

Trump was speaking at the White House press briefing room after a fatal crash between a passenger airplane and Army helicopter on Wednesday night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 

The president asserted his opinion even though the crash has yet to be fully investigated and there has been no determination as to whether the FAA did anything wrong. 

“The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website,” said Trump, noting that the program allowed for the hiring of people with hearing and vision issues as well as paralysis, epilepsy and “dwarfism.” 

Trump: No one survived the aircraft collision near D.C. 

President Donald Trump says there were no survivors after a passenger plane and an Army helicopter collided near a D.C.-area airport. 

“As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly,” Trump said at a press briefing Thursday. 

“Sadly, there are no survivors” of the crash, he said. 

Trump said it was still not clear what led to the crash. He said the U.S. miliary and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. 

“We’ll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again,” he said. 

‘Coast Guard joins in rescue and recovery effort 

Coast Guard boats are helping to scour the chilly waters of the Potomac River after a deadly collision between a commercial passenger jet and an Army helicopter. 

Every “available U.S. Coast Guard resource for search and rescue” has been deployed to join other agencies, said Secretary Kristi Noem of the Department of Homeland Security. 

“We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders,” Noem said on the social media platform X. 

In a statement, the Coast Guard says its pollution crews have been mobilized and are ready to respond if necessary. 

The Coast Guard is working with the Army Corps of Engineers and Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving to coordinate removing the wreckage and keeping river traffic out of the area until it becomes safe. 

President Trump sends message of condolence 

President Donald Trump has sent a message of condolence to those affected by the deadly collision at a D.C.-area airport. 

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls,” he said on Truth Social. 

“Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.” 

Six killed from Boston-area figure skating club 

Two young figure skaters, two of their parents and two highly-regarded Russian figure skating coaches were among those killed after an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter collided Wednesday night and crashed into the frigid waters of the Potomac River. 

“This will have long reaching impacts for our community,” said Doug Zeghibe, chief executive at the Skating Club of Boston, said during a news conference where he was visibly emotional. 

Two of those killed were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were well-known Russian skaters but have been coaching at the Skating Club of Boston since 2017. 

U.S. Figure Skating previously confirmed that several skaters, coaches and family members were on the commercial flight after attending a development camp that followed the national championships, which wrapped up Sunday in Wichita, Kansas. 

Russian figure skaters are among the victims 

Two Russian figure skating coaches whose son recently finished fourth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were among those feared dead after an American Airlines and an Army helicopter collided crashed into the frigid waters of the Potomac River. 

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several skaters, coaches and family members were on the commercial flight after attending a development camp that followed the national championships that ended Sunday in Wichita, Kansas. 

Two of those killed were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were well-known Russian skaters but have been coaching at the Skating Club of Boston since 2017. 

Officials say they do not believe anyone survived in the Wednesday crash. The American Airlines jet had 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter. 

FAA joins NTSB in investigation of midair collision 

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration will join the NTSB-led investigation of Wednesday night’s midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport. 

The NTSB is leading the investigation. 

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