American Airlines plane crash video shows horrifying moment jet explodes in mid-air

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Horrifying footage shows the shocking moment an American Airlines plane exploded mid-flight near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC on Wednesday evening.The American Airlines aircraft, thought to be carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, crashed into the Potomac River in the nation's capital just after 9pm local time, following a collision with a US army Blackhawk helicopter, reports the Mirror.Shortly afterwards, fire boats were seen speeding to the scene, joined by vehicles carrying first responders and investigators from various agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Amid the rescue operation, the Federal Aviation Administration halted all takeoffs and landings at the domestic airport, with the grounding order remaining in place until at least 10.30pm.

It is believed there could be 70 fatalities, with 19 bodies recovered so far. The chilling video, captured by an observation camera near the Kennedy Center, shows two sets of lights, consistent with two aircraft, merging into a massive fireball in the sky before both plummet to the ground - or, in the case of the plane, into the Potomac, reports the Mirror US.

It was later confirmed that a Blackhawk military helicopter carrying three soldiers - whose conditions are currently unknown - collided with a regional jet operated by American Airlines en route to Washington from Wichita, Kansas.The commercial flight had been preparing to land at Reagan National Airport.