Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are demanding answers and seeking accountability after a US Army helicopter crashed into an oncoming American Airlines (AA) passenger jet over the Potomac river in Washington, D.C.
The AA flight was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, 19 of which have already been confirmed deceased after the plane crash-landed into the Potomac after the collision with the helicopter.
Dozens of emergency crews, first responders, and investigators are ceaselessly working to search for missing passengers and recover as much information as possible.
Political officials are asking how this crash could have occurred, as camera footage demonstrates both the plane and the helicopter were flying clearly-visible trajectories in perfect weather conditions.
President Donald Trump remarked how the weather was perfect and “the lights on the plane were blazing,” and asked “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,” President Trump added.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the Department of Defense (DOD) and US Army were initiating investigations “immediately.”
Secretary Hegseth further clarified that the helicopter responsible for the crash was an Army UH-60 Helicopter from Davison Army Airfield undergoing a training flight.
Hegseth qualified the crash as “absolutely tragic,” and offered his “prayers for all impacted souls, and their families.”
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) similarly called the crash “tragic and heartbreaking,” adding that his family and him “are praying for the safety of everyone involved.”
Recently appointed Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy responded to the crash in kind, offering the Department of Transportation’s full support to the emerging National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the accident.
The NTSB is the federal institution tasked with investigating significant transportation incidents.
“NTSB has launched a go-team to the aviation accident involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane and a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,” announced the NTSB.
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