A passenger jet and a helicopter collided Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, prompting an immediate halt to all airport operations and launching a multi-agency emergency response.

According to preliminary reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the incident involved an American Airlines regional jet arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and a Sikorsky helicopter. The collision occurred as the passenger aircraft was approaching the airport, with video footage from the Kennedy Center's observation camera showing what appeared to be two sets of aircraft lights merging in what witnesses described as a fireball.

The DC Fire and EMS Department confirmed that emergency responders, including fireboats, were dispatched to the Potomac River where the incident occurred. Multiple helicopters from various agencies, including the U.S. Park Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, and U.S. military, were observed conducting search and rescue operations in the area.

Reagan National Airport officials announced that all takeoffs and landings were suspended, though the terminal remained open. The FAA indicated that the airport was expected to remain closed until at least 11 PM.

The incident has drawn a coordinated response from multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies. As of the initial reports, there was no immediate confirmation of casualties or the total number of individuals involved in the collision.

This developing situation has prompted a comprehensive emergency response, with authorities focusing on search and rescue efforts in the Potomac River area adjacent to the airport.