MOSCOW, Jan 30 — A team of divers may have found one of the two data recorders, the so-called black boxes, from the plane that crashed near Washington, DC, the CBS broadcaster reported on Thursday, according to Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
The plane broke into several pieces that are at the depth of 1.5 metres (5 feet) to 2.5 metres, the broadcaster reported, adding that divers have also managed to get access to the cockpit of the plane.
The helicopter that collided with the plane is upside down, but appears to be mostly intact.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported citing a recording of the conversation that the military helicopter that collided with a passenger plane near the Reagan National Airport (DCA) has failed to respond to air traffic controllers' warning about the plane's proximity before the collision.
Less than 30 seconds before the collision, controllers asked the helicopter pilot if he could see the plane, the news agency said.
Meanwhile, eighteen bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River following the collision, Xinhua reported, citing local media reports.
No survivors have been pulled out of the river into which the collided aircraft crashed, as rescue efforts were underway, CNN said.
American Airlines, which operated the ill-fated passenger plane, said in a statement that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board. The airliner has set up a hotline for those with loved ones onboard the plane.
Three soldiers were on board the Blackhawk, CNN reported, citing a US defence official.
US President Donald Trump said in a statement that he had been "fully briefed on the terrible accident" and that he was "monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise".
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said on the social platform X that the Pentagon is actively monitoring the situation and is poised to assist if needed.
The US Federal Aviation Administration said that the midair collision occurred around 9pm involving a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and a military Blackhawk helicopter, and that all takeoffs and landings from the airport have been halted.
— Bernama
