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President Donald Trump has criticized the helicopter crew and control tower involved in the midair collision between an American Airlines plane and a Black Hawk military helicopter in Washington, D.C. that left many passengers dead.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the situation "should have been prevented" and described it as "NOT GOOD."
Why It Matters
At least 19 people are believed to have died in the incident, and a search and rescue operation is still underway. The American Airlines plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were in the helicopter. An investigation is underway, and a cause of the collision remains unknown.
What To Know
On Wednesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that a "CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time."
The commercial aircraft was an American Airlines flight originating from Wichita, Kansas.
According to the Associated Press, citing radio transponder data, the plane was inbound about 400 feet in the air and traveling about 140 mph when it suddenly "suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River."
The transponder stopped dispatching data at less than 3,000 feet from the runway, the AP added. Radio communications indicate that air traffic control at the airport informed the helicopter about the approaching plane and asked the pilots to confirm visual contact, following standard procedure.
At least 19 bodies have been recovered from the scene.
U.S. Figure Skating—the American governing body for the sport—has confirmed in a statement that several members of its skating community were on board American Airlines Flight 5342, which authorities said broke into multiple pieces during the crash, CBS reported.
The plane is now 5 to 8 feet deep in the Potomac River. According to authorities, the helicopter is lying upside down but is mostly intact.
The dive team has also found what appears to be one of the two black boxes.
Reagan National is scheduled to be closed until at least 11 a.m. on Thursday.
The collision is the first major U.S. commercial air crash since February 2009, when a Continental Airlines flight that departed from Newark, New Jersey, operated by Colgan Air, crashed into a house as it approached the airport in Buffalo, New York. Forty-nine people died in that crash.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday: "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn't the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD."
In an emailed response to Newsweek, American Airlines said: "Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
"If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.
"American Airlines will continue to release information as it becomes available. Please monitor news.aa.com and American's official X account @AmericanAir for the latest information."
Sean Duffy, Trump's newly sworn-in transportation secretary, said on X: "I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on X: "DoD actively monitoring. Poised to assist if needed. Prayers for all involved."
Vice President JD Vance said on X: "Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best."
What Happens Next
The Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that it was "coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River" along with other agencies.
However, searchers are dealing with tough conditions: freezing water, wind and no light. An emergency official described the river as a "big patch of black."
Hegseth said the Pentagon had launched an investigation into the crash.
About the writer
Martha McHardy is a U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on polling and California politics. She ... Read more