A dramatic plane crash in frigid temperatures. And a search and rescue that saved lives on the same partially frozen Potomac River. Almost 43 years ago to the day, tragedy struck when a commercial jet − Air Florida Flight 90 − plunged into icy waters shortly after an afternoon takeoff from the same airport where a passenger jet with 64 people aboard collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night.

We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” said John Donnelly, the fire chief in the nation’s capital.

This afternoon the NTSB held its first briefing on the crash saying this was a very quick and rapid impact. Since Wednesday night they have been dealing with difficult conditions. Despite that, the DC fire chief says he is confident the remains of everyone involved will be found.

Eighteen bodies were reportedly removed from the Potomac River following the Wednesday, Jan. 29, crash between an American Airlines regional passenger plane and a helicopter.

An airplane collided with a helicopter while trying to land at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.

Officials say the conditions of the Potomac River are complicating recovery efforts of the bodies of the 67 presumed dead in a mid-air collision between American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita and a military Black Hawk helicopter.

An American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River, according to officials.

An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night. Officials have not provided a death toll but said all passengers and crew on both flights were feared dead.