6 hours ago
Last Updated:January 30, 2025, 23:06 IST
Trump questioned why the Army helicopter didn't turn as the lights of the American Airlines passenger jet were "blazing".
US President Donald Trump speaks about the mid-air crash between American Airlines flight 5342 and a military helicopter in Washington (AFP)
United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the authorities have "strong opinions" on what caused the deadly collision between an American Airlines regional passenger plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter.
“We did not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas, and I think we’ll probably state those opinions now, because over the years, I’ve watched as things like this happen," Trump said.
“We think we have some pretty good ideas, but we’ll find out how this disaster occurred, and we’ll ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he added.
Trump further blamed former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for policies which he claimed compromised air safety. He accused them of prioritising diversity over competence in hiring decisions.
“I put safety first. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put policy first," Trump said, adding “They actually came out with a directive: ‘too white.’ And we want the people that are competent."
He also claimed that the FAA was “ran into the ground" by DEI hires after being deemed “too white". He claimed that DEI “could have been" to blame for the collision, the deadliest US plane crash since November 2001.
Trump also announced the appointment of Chris Rocheleau as the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The decision came amid growing concerns over aviation safety and regulatory oversight.
Trump earlier reacted to the crash after midnight, asking why the helicopter did not avoid the plane and why the air traffic control tower did not “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!!!" Trump wrote in a social media post.
Fatal Plane-Chopper Crash Claims 64 Lives
An American Airlines flight arriving at Reagan Airport in Washington collided with a helicopter, after which both the aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.
The American Airlines Flight 5342 was carrying 64 people, including passengers and crew members, at the time of the crash. At least 28 bodies have been recovered from the river into which both aircraft crashed. Officials said there are likely no survivors from the devastating collision.
The military Blackhawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers.
A massive search and rescue operation was launched into the waters of the Potomac River, soon after the crash was reported. Later, Reagan Airport aborted all takeoffs and landings as helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors.
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:January 30, 2025, 23:06 IST
News world Washington Crash: Trump Says Authorities Have 'Strong Opinions' On Causes; Blames Obama, Biden For Air Safety Lapses
