There were no survivors in the accident, which happened as a regional passenger jet was attempting to land just before 9 p.m. EST Wednesday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The plane that crashed near Washington, D.C., was carrying an unknown number of passengers from the figure skating community, including Russian husband-and-wife world champions.
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia about airport and air travel safety following the mid-air collision near D.C.'s closest airport.