Washington: Several members of the U.S. figure skating community were reportedly aboard the passenger jet that collided with a helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.

"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts," the Washington Post reported, quoting a statement from US Figure Skating.

"U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.," the organization said in a statement to ABC News.

"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas."

The number of skaters and coaches involved has not been disclosed, and authorities have not yet provided details on casualties. The collision, which occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, led to an ongoing search operation in the Potomac River.

A jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River.

There were multiple fatalities, according to a person familiar with the matter, but the precise number of victims was unclear as rescue crews hunted for any survivors.

Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, but all takeoffs and landings from the airport were halted as dive teams scoured the site and helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in methodical search for bodies.