US officials say they do not expect any survivors from the crash, and that at least 28 bodies have been recovered from scene. The plane was carrying 64 passengers and crew when it collided in mid-air with a US Army helicopter just after 21:00 local time on Wednesday (02:00 GMT). It then fell into the ice-cold Potomac River.

Several figure skaters, their coaches and family members had been on a flight to Washington after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.