President Trump posted to Truth Social just after midnight Tuesday on the deadly collision near Reagan National Airport between a Army helicopter and a PSA/American Airlines passenger plane. The flight out of Wichita, Kansas was on final approach to Reagan when it appears to have been hit by the helicopter from the right side at about three hundred feet. The helicopter was on a training flight out of nearby Fort Belvoir, Virginia, according to the Army. The plane reportedly had sixty passengers and four crew, while the Army helicopter reportedly had three soldiers aboard. Rescue operations are ongoing at the crash site for both aircraft, located closer to the Maryland side of the Potomac River just south of Washington, D.C.
Video of the collision:
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
Trump’s statement:
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. 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!!!”
“What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!”
Earlier, the White House issued an official statement by Trump: “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 30, 2025
Vice President J.D. Vance posted soon after the collision, “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”
Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 30, 2025
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon is opening an investigation and posted a statement by the Military District of Washington saying the helicopter was on a training mission out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia (located 15 miles south of Reagan National), “Latest below. Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families. Investigation launched immediately by Army & DoD.”
Latest below. Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families.
Investigation launched immediately by Army & DoD. pic.twitter.com/WdUnYV4UJz
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 30, 2025
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, “I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.”
“
I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation. https://t.co/ztf2Dpqljq
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) January 30, 2025
Duffy later posted, “I have directed @USDOT and @FAANews to provide full support to the @NTSB and all responding agencies and authorities….I have spoken with Washington D.C. Mayor Bowser, Virginia Governor Youngkin, Kansas Governor Kelly, and NTSB Chair Homendy to offer our agency’s complete assistance. Thank you to all first responders who are on the scene and conducting the search and rescue operations.”
I have spoken with Washington D.C. Mayor Bowser, Virginia Governor Youngkin, Kansas Governor Kelly, and NTSB Chair Homendy to offer our agency’s complete assistance. Thank you to all first responders who are on the scene and conducting the search and rescue operations.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) January 30, 2025
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Moem, “We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA. We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders. Praying for the victims and first responders.”
We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA. We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders.
Praying for the victims and first responders.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 30, 2025
This story originally appeared on TheGateWayPundit
