American Airlines Flight 5342: Horror as helicopter crashes into plane at Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia

The rescue effort has turned to a recovery effort, with officials indicating there are no survivors expected after Wednesday’s crash.

WARNING: Distressing content

The rescue effort has turned to a recovery effort, with officials indicating there are no survivors expected after Wednesday’s crash.

In a press conference at about 7.30am Thursday morning local time, DC Fire Chief John Donnelly said officials will “continue to work to find all bodies, to reunite them with their loved ones.”

“We don’t believe there are any survivors,” he said.

A passenger plane with 64 people on board crashed into near-freezing water after colliding mid-air with a military helicopter in Washington, DC.

The US Army Blackhawk (H-60) helicopter, with three people on board, and Flight 5342 went down around the Potomac River.

The regional American Airlines flight had been coming in to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at about 9pm (1pm Thursday AEDT) when tragedy struck.

Webcam from the Washington DC’s Kennedy Center appeared to capture a mid-air explosion after a helicopter and a plane collided.

Scroll down for all the latest updates.

Originally published as American Airlines Flight 5342: Horror as helicopter crashes into plane at Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia