Oliver Conway

Reagan National Airport sits just across the river from Washington, D.C., a seven-minute drive from the White House and right next to the Pentagon. Being so close to the U.S. Capitol, it is very busy. In fact, it has the single busiest runway in the country.

But as we record this podcast, it remains closed after a military helicopter collided with a passenger jet coming into land just before 9 o'clock last night. The moment was recorded by air traffic control. Webcam footage from the nearby Kennedy Center showed a huge explosion at the moment of impact. Both the plane and the helicopter then plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac below.

But as we record this podcast, it remains closed after a military helicopter collided with a passenger jet coming into land just before 9 o'clock last night. The moment was recorded by air traffic control. Webcam footage from the nearby Kennedy Center showed a huge explosion at the moment of impact. Both the plane and the helicopter then plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac below.

In the past few hours, the authorities have been giving an update. John Donnelly is a fire and emergency medical services chief.

In the past few hours, the authorities have been giving an update. John Donnelly is a fire and emergency medical services chief.

Well, shortly before we came into the studio, our North America correspondent, Nomia Iqbal, gave me an update from the airport.

Well, shortly before we came into the studio, our North America correspondent, Nomia Iqbal, gave me an update from the airport.

Now, the plane had 64 passengers and crew on board. It was flying from Wichita in Kansas. And we're hearing that there were a number of people involved in the figure skating community on board.

Now, the plane had 64 passengers and crew on board. It was flying from Wichita in Kansas. And we're hearing that there were a number of people involved in the figure skating community on board.

And briefly, what do you make of Donald Trump's post on his social media site saying this is a bad situation and it should have been prevented?

And briefly, what do you make of Donald Trump's post on his social media site saying this is a bad situation and it should have been prevented?

Namia Iqbal in Washington. The recording of air traffic control revealed that shortly before the crash, the helicopter crew were asked if they had the American Airlines passenger jet in sight. There was no clear response. So what might have happened? Jeffrey Thomas is an aviation consultant.

Namia Iqbal in Washington. The recording of air traffic control revealed that shortly before the crash, the helicopter crew were asked if they had the American Airlines passenger jet in sight. There was no clear response. So what might have happened? Jeffrey Thomas is an aviation consultant.

Aviation consultant Geoffrey Thomas. Eight more hostages, three Israelis and five Thai farm workers, have been freed from Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The Israelis have now suspended the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners due to be freed in return.

Aviation consultant Geoffrey Thomas. Eight more hostages, three Israelis and five Thai farm workers, have been freed from Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The Israelis have now suspended the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners due to be freed in return.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of what he called unimaginable cruelty after chaotic scenes at the release of seven of the captives in the southern city of Khan Yunis. Well, the handover of the seven took place near the now-destroyed childhood home of the dead Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar. The two Israelis were civilian woman Abel Yehud and eight-year-old man Gadi Moses.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of what he called unimaginable cruelty after chaotic scenes at the release of seven of the captives in the southern city of Khan Yunis. Well, the handover of the seven took place near the now-destroyed childhood home of the dead Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar. The two Israelis were civilian woman Abel Yehud and eight-year-old man Gadi Moses.

They were reported to be being held by Islamic Jihad, not Hamas. Earlier, Hamas had freed the final female Israeli soldier it was holding, Agam Berger. She stood on a stage holding a certificate and waving before being driven away by the Red Cross. Our correspondent Nick Beek in Tel Aviv told me first about what happened in Khan Yunis.

They were reported to be being held by Islamic Jihad, not Hamas. Earlier, Hamas had freed the final female Israeli soldier it was holding, Agam Berger. She stood on a stage holding a certificate and waving before being driven away by the Red Cross. Our correspondent Nick Beek in Tel Aviv told me first about what happened in Khan Yunis.

Yeah, now Hamas were criticised after the very first hostage handover of this ceasefire deal. They then moved to a more orderly handover with the four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday. Again, they did the same today with that one soldier. Is it a different group involved in the handover in Khan Yunus because the others were said to be being held by Islamic Jihad?