Disturbing air traffic control audio has surfaced, capturing the final moments before an American Airlines passenger plane collided mid-air with a military helicopter before crashing into the icy Potomac River.
At least 18 passengers have been pulled from the frigid waters after Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700, collided with a Black Hawk Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while attempting to land in Washington, D.C.
The airline confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board when the jet went down, while three people were aboard the military chopper at the time of impact.
According to a law enforcement source speaking to CNN, fatalities have been confirmed, though the exact number remains unknown.
Chilling ATC recordings from the moment of the crash reveal critical last-minute communications. Operators can be heard asking the helicopter pilot if the approaching jet is in sight, followed by additional commands and confirmations.
“PAT-2-5, do you have the CRJ in sight? You do, right?” an operator asks. Moments later, another controller instructs the helicopter to pass behind the plane—just before the tragic collision.