While driving home, Ari Shulman said a "spray of sparks" in the sky caught his attention as he watched in horror the midair collision unfold.

Federal authorities are asking questions as to how the collision between an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter could have occurred.

American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA,” the airline said in a statement.

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, the FAA said. Reagan National Airport has grounded all flights.

Recovery crews in Washington, D.C. are facing challenges due to the Potomac River's frigid 35-degree temperatures, which pose risks of cold shock. Training programs emphasize the importance of protective gear and monitoring exposure time to safeguard responders in such extreme conditions.

An American Airlines flight crashed into a U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter over the Potomac River as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

CBS News Miami's Chelsea Jones spoke with South Florida flyers who were traveling at the time of the collision.

By David Shepardson, Trevor Hunnicutt and Brad Brooks WASHINGTON (Reuters) -An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the frigid Potomac River after a midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night,

An American Eagle flight and a military helicopter collided over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night.

This afternoon the NTSB held its first briefing on the crash saying this was a very quick and rapid impact. Since Wednesday night they have been dealing with difficult conditions. Despite that, the DC fire chief says he is confident the remains of everyone involved will be found.

A man has revealed the heartbreaking final text he received from his wife who was onboard American Airlines flight 5342 before it collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington,