Media reported the closure of the Washington, D.C. airport through Friday morning following the plane crash

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), near which a passenger plane and a military helicopter collided, will be closed until at least five in the morning of Friday, January 31. This was reported by CNN on January 30 with reference to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"Reagan National Airport will remain closed until Friday morning," it noted.

The Washington Airports Authority also said that takeoffs and landings at the airport have been suspended, CNN specified.

US President Donald Trump said the plane crash could have been avoided if the helicopter crew had changed course. According to him, the plane was moving on a normal trajectory to land at the airport while "the helicopter flew straight at the airplane" for a long time.

"Why didn't the helicopter go up or down or turn? Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they could see the airplane? This is a bad situation that seems like it should have been prevented," the American leader wrote on his Truth Social media page.

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The crash of a small plane into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport became known on January 29. A search and rescue operation was launched on the Potomac River after the plane crashed. Later in the press service of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States specified that a passenger plane Bombardier CRJ700 and a military helicopter Blackhawk collided in the air near the airport.

According to NBC News, four people were rescued at the scene of the plane crash, at least 18 dead bodies were found in the river. The search continues. It is noted that on board the fallen American Airlines plane were 60 passengers and four crew members. In the helicopter was three military.

The Russian Embassy in the United States is finding out if there are any injured Russian citizens as a result of the collision of the plane with a military helicopter.

Trump called the airplane crash that occurred in Washington terrible. He emphasized that he is monitoring the situation and also promised to provide more information as it emerges.