The midair collision over the Potomac River on Wednesday brings back chilling memories of another tragedy in the same waters more than four decades ago—when Air Florida Flight 90, bound for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport,

RICHMOND, Va. ( WWBT /Gray News) - A retired pilot gave a first-hand view of what it’s like to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Chuck Smith says he has made that approach and landing hundreds of times in his career. He shared a video showing what it looks like to fly near Washington, D.C., and over the Potomac River.

The airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has long been problematic due to heavy military and commercial flight activity in the nation’s capital, according to industry insiders.

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.

Authorities continued a grim recovery operation early Thursday after an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,

Wednesday’s crash has resurfaced concerns about the airport’s proximity to the river, narrow landing space and overcrowding. Despite the geographic and logistical challenges, Congress authorized 10 additional “slots,” or flights, to DCA’s daily flight schedule.

A passenger jet has collided with a helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington.

The recent crash and rescue on the icy river between DC and Virginia sparks memories of Air Florida's 1982 disaster.

A direct-to-Reagan National route is highly coveted by many lawmakers, who frequently lobby airlines to get one for their home states and districts — as Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) did for the inbound-from-Wichita jet that crashed into an Army helicopter while on approach to Reagan Wednesday.

The aircraft experienced difficulty climbing and stalled, striking the 14th Street Bridge and crashing into the ice-covered Potomac.

Three flights from RSW into Washington D.C.'s DCA have been canceled Thursday after an American Airlines passenger plane collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday night.