The commercial jet which slid into the river near Jacksonville, Florida was attempting to land during a heavy thunderstorm at 9:40pm (2:40am BST). There have been no reports of fatalities but a local television station said at least two people suffered minor injuries. The flight arriving from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay went into the river at the end of the runway, according to the air station.
The mayor of Jacksonville, Lenny Curry, said on Twitter that everyone on board was “alive and accounted for” but that crews were working to control jet fuel on the water.
Mr Curry said in a separate tweet that US President Donald Trump had called him to offer help.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter: “The plane was not submerged.
“Every person is alive and accounted for.”
The tweet was accompanied by two photographs of the jet with the logo of Miami Air International resting in shallow water and fully intact.
Miami Air International is a charter airline operating a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
A Boeing spokesman said that the company was aware of the incident and was gathering information.
The National Transportation Safety Board has also launched an investigation into the incident.
There has been no official word on what exactly caused the accident although bad weather conditions have been mentioned.
More to follow…