A tragic midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., resulted in 67 fatalities. Preliminary reports indicate unusual air traffic control staffing at Reagan National Airport, with one controller managing both aircraft types. Investigators from the NTSB are yet to recover flight data recorders from the wreckage. Notably, the American Airlines flight carried several prominent figure skaters returning from a competition. The Secretary of Defense indicated the helicopter was engaged in training. President Trump raised unverified implications regarding the Biden administration's policies' potential link to the crash.
"We have not recovered the flight data recorders yet. We know they're there. They are underwater. This is not unusual for the NTSB." - Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chair.
"The staffing at the Reagan National Airport's air traffic control tower was not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic." - Preliminary FAA report.
"The unit manning the Army helicopter are from Fort Belvoir in Virginia and were taking part in an annual proficiency training flight." - Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
"President Trump suggested, without evidence, that the Biden administration and DEI efforts could be responsible for the crash." - article excerpt.
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