Plane carrying 64 people crashes into military helicopter near Washington, D.C.

A plane with 64 people on board collided on Wednesday night, with a military helicopter mid-air, as it approached Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.

As of 2:50 AM on Thursday local time, at least 19 bodies have been recovered according to CBS News, with a large search and rescue operation underway in the Potomac River, where the aircraft are currently submerged.

During a press briefing that followed shortly after the crash, officials pointed out the unfavorable conditions of the river, stating that the waters are "dark" and "murky".

The jet – American Airlines Flight 5342 – had departed from Wichita, Kansas.

It hit a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on a training flight with three people aboard.

Reagan National Airport has been shut down until at least Thursday morning, with all takeoffs and landings on halt, until then.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement thanking the rescue team, and followed up on the news with a post on social media saying the crash "should have been prevented."