Takeoffs and landings are halted at Washington DC's Ronald Reagan National Airport as emergency services respond.

The crash of an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday highlighted issues around the congested airspace shared by civilian and military aircraft over the U.

Local law enforcement declined to confirm any fatalities early Thursday, saying search-and-rescue operations were ongoing. Earlier, officials described the conditions as “extremely rough” and said around 300 emergency responders were on the scene.

A passenger jet collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. There was no immediate word on casualties,

The Food and Drug Administration has newly classified the December recall of some Lay’s Classic Potato Chips sold in Oregon and Washington with the designation reserved for the highest degree of health hazard.

The number of people onboard and any fatalities is unknown at this time. The plane can carry up to 65 passengers and four crew members.

The nation's capital is expected to see mostly sunny skies with increasing winds over the next few days; gusts may hit 47 mph on January 29.

The debate over fluoride has gained new traction after a federal judge in California last year ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water

The Associated Press is providing live video of the scene of the plane crash near Washington’s Reagan Airport:

The flight appeared to collide with a helicopter just before it was scheduled to land. This is a developing story and will be updated.

A passenger jet has collided with a helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington