The "potential drone" was reportedly seen over Freeway Airport, around 10 miles north of Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

Donald Trump has said the Washington plane crash was ‘preventable’ in a social media rant, questioning why the helicopter travelled ‘straight at the airplane for an extended period of time’. Many are feared dead after an American Airlines passenger jet collided with a US military Black Hawk helicopter before crashing into the Potomac River at 8.

A midair collision near D.C. has raised concerns over FAA staffing, prompting scrutiny of air traffic control and aviation safety oversight.

President Trump appointed Christopher Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, as acting administrator of the agency.