U.S. President, Donald Trump said on Thursday morning that the midair collision between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger plane was a “bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.”
American Airlines Flight 5342, a regional jet en route to Washington, collided with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during its descent over the Potomac River early Thursday morning. The crash resulted in a catastrophic loss of life, with at least 18 bodies recovered as of Thursday morning, according to CBS News.
Preliminary reports indicate the collision occurred shortly after air traffic controllers advised the arriving jet to land on the shorter Runway 33. Moments before the crash, the helicopter crew reported they had visual contact with the jet but failed to maintain separation, leading to the fatal impact.
The U.S. Army confirmed that the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision was on a training flight with a crew of three soldiers, all of whom are presumed to have died. The passenger jet, which collided with the helicopter, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.
The tragic incident prompted a large-scale search-and-rescue operation, with over 300 responders involved. Inflatable boats combed the Potomac River, and air traffic at Reagan National Airport was temporarily suspended. Authorities described the operation as “highly complex,” as efforts continued to locate any additional victims or survivors.
Air traffic recordings captured the tense moments before the crash, with controllers repeatedly instructing the helicopter to maintain a safe distance from the plane. Witnesses from nearby aircraft reported seeing flares and debris scattered across the river.
Reacting to the news, former President Donald Trump shared his thoughts on the incident via his Truth Social platform:
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It’s 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?” he wrote.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!” Trump added.
