Tragedy Strikes: Midair Collision Claims 67 Lives
A Nation in Mourning
In a devastating turn of events, a midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred above Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, resulting in the loss of 67 lives. The incident marks the deadliest U.S. plane crash since November 2001.
President Trump Responds
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House, offering condolences to the victims’ families while also taking aim at former President Joe Biden’s diversity initiatives. Trump suggested that these efforts may have contributed to the crash, although he provided no evidence to support this claim. When pressed by a reporter, Trump defended his comments, stating that he was not getting ahead of the investigation.
New Leadership at the FAA
In the aftermath of the tragedy, President Trump announced the appointment of Christopher Rocheleau as the acting commissioner of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Rocheleau, who had been serving as the FAA’s deputy administrator since January 21, will lead the agency in the absence of a permanent head.
Recovery Efforts Underway
The response to the crash has shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery operation, with hundreds of first responders scouring the Potomac River where both aircraft landed after the collision. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly reported that at least 28 bodies have been recovered so far.
Initial Reaction and Investigation
President Trump initially reacted to the crash on social media, questioning why the helicopter did not avoid the plane and why the air traffic control tower did not intervene. He later posted that he had been briefed on the “terrible accident.” The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with officials working to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
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