Washington plane-helicopter crash: Temperature of Potomac River, and how long can passengers survive

As per the airline source, 64 people were supposed to be on the commercial aircraft.

An American Airlines plane crashed into a US military Black Hawk helicopter mid-air, and fell into the Potomac River in Washington DC. Rescue operations are on to find the survivors, with airline sources revealing that 64 people were slated to be on board.

The water temperature in the Potomac River is around 5.5 degrees Celsius, WUSA9, a DC-based channel affiliated with CBS, revealed.

While rescuers can put on suits to help with the freezing temperatures, passengers from the flight may just have 30-40 minutes before they succumb to the cold.

US President Donald Trump "has been made aware of this situation and tragically it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News.

US Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, posted online that he had learned a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at the airport.

US Vice President JD Vance said on social media, "...We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best."

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are to investigate the airspace incident that occurred near the Ronald Reagan National Airport according to ANI. Further details awaited.

(With agency inputs)