Everyone on plane that collided with helicopter near Washington feared dead

Search and rescue efforts (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

All 64 people on board an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter are feared dead in what is likely to be the worst US aviation disaster in almost quarter of a century, officials said.

At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the jet late on Wednesday as it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, officials said.