‘Should Have Been Prevented’: Trump Addresses Plane-Helicopter Crash

As questions swirl about how a regional jet collided with a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the Washington, D.C., area, President Donald Trump noted that Wednesday evening was a “CLEAR NIGHT.”

“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport,” the president posted on Truth Social. “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!!!” he added.

The midair collision occurred around 9 p.m. ET Wednesday, involving a regional jet operating as an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, and an Army UH-60 helicopter on a training flight that came from Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, which is located in Northern Virginia.

Rescue operations at the Potomac River began shortly after the collision. There were 64 people on the flight from Wichita, according to American Airlines. Three were onboard the military helicopter, reported The Wall Street Journal.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an “Investigation [was] launched immediately” by the Army and Department of Defense.

“Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families,” he wrote in a post to X.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was just sworn in Wednesday, said in remarks at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that he had spoken with Trump and Hegseth.

“I have directed @USDOT [Transportation Department] and @FAANews [Federal Aviation Administration] to provide full support to the @NTSB [National Transportation Safety Board] and all responding agencies and authorities,” Duffy posted on X.

Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, both Republicans representing Kansas, announced they had spoken with officials at the airport.

“We will continue to work through the night to get answers alongside federal, state and local officials,” Marshall posted on X. “Pray for Kansas. Pray for the passengers, pilots, the first responders, rescue crews, and their families.”

CBS affiliate WUSA9 reported that several figure skaters were on the flight.

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” the organization said in a statement. “These athletes, coaches and family members were returning home from National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.”