A terrible accident happened when an Army helicopter crashed into a passenger jet, killing all 67 people on both planes. This was the first deadly airplane accident in the United States in over a decade. The collision happened late Wednesday near the Ronald Reagan National Airport, right across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Rescue teams managed to find about 28 bodies in the cold river water.
The American Airlines regional jet had 60 passengers and 4 crew members, while the helicopter carried 3 soldiers. Many people are wondering how this disastrous crash occurred.
Reports say that the Black Hawk helicopter might have been flying in the wrong place. It was supposed to follow a specific path at a low height, but it ended up flying high and off its route. The helicopter’s pilot wanted to stay close to the east side of the Potomac River, flying no higher than 200 feet. However, it was reported that the helicopter was actually flying above 300 feet when it crashed into the jet.
At the time of the crash, only one air traffic controller was managing both the helicopter and the airplane arrivals. This was not normal for that busy time, according to a FAA report.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed sadness over the accident and offered condolences to everyone affected. He suggested that the crash could be due to lower hiring standards at the FAA during the Obama and Biden administrations and criticized diversity programs in the government. When reporters asked how he could say this so soon, he replied it was just his common sense. Trump also pointed fingers at Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
This situation is still under investigation, and many are waiting for answers.
Leave a Reply