The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said they have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The president at points acknowledged that it was too soon to draw conclusions as he encouraged the nation to pray for the victims. But he moved nonetheless to assign blame.

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

Air traffic control tower 'understaffed' during deadly collision, FAA report finds - Shock report revealed after Donald Trump suggests diversity hiring to blame for tragedy which left 67 dead

The crash and rescue on the icy river connecting Washington, DC and Virginia had similarities to this one. Five of the 79 aboard the flight survived.

The Potomac River is running around 42 degrees. While search crews may don suits to help with the cold temperatures, passengers from Flight 5342 may only have 30-40 minutes. According to the flight manifest, American Eagle Flight 5342 had 60 passengers and four crew members on board.

There was a mid-air collision between a commercial airliner and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday night over the Capital Region. “The FAA and NTSB will investigate,” the statement added.

No survivors found in crash between Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines jet over Potomac River near DC

An American Airlines flight and a military helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport Wednesday evening.

A regional jet from Kansas collided with a military helicopter near Washington's Reagan National Airport, crashing into the Potomac River and resulting in at least two bodies recovered. The accident occurred around 9 PM,