Donald Trump believes that the crash between a regional passenger jet of the American Airlines and a military helicopter should have been prevented. “
The president initially issued a statement in the hope that God would bless the souls of the victims, since the emergency services in the city are looking for the Potomac River at the airport after the incident just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening.
In a post to the Trump ownership of Truth Social later in the evening, Trump raised various questions about the crash.
'The plane was on a perfect and routine line of approaching the airport. The helicopter went straight to the plane for a longer period. It is a clear night, the lights on the plane ran, why did the helicopter not go up or down, or turned around, “he asked.
Trump continued: Why did the control tower not told the helicopter something 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 !!!
The crash happened when the passenger plane tried to land on Reagan National Airport in Washington.
The president spoke about the crash in a statement: “I was fully informed about the terrible accident that just took place at Reagan National Airport,” he said.
May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work that is done by our first care providers. I follow the situation and will give more details when they occur. '
Vice President JD Vance offered prayer in the same way in a self -explanation of social media.
Donald Trump believes that the crash between a regional passenger jet of the American Airlines and a military helicopter should have been prevented '
Emergency services in the city are looking for the Potomac River near the airport after the incident just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening
'Please say a prayer for anyone involved in the collision in the air near Reagan Airport. We follow the situation, but let's hope now. '
Transport secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday evening that he is 'on location at the FAA head office and keeping an eye on the situation'.
The airline has confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the capital when the collision took place.
NBC Washington reports that at least four people have been drawn to safety by rescue teams from the water.
The Federal Aviation Authority said the Jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, clashed with a Sikorksy H-60 ​​Black Hawk helicopter while he was at the approach of runway 33.
Defense officials have confirmed that the Black Hawk was an army chakeler who was wearing three soldiers at that time.
In audio of the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, a controller is heard to ask the helicopter: 'Pat25 you have the CRJ in sight,' in reference to the passenger plane.
“Tower, have you seen that?” Another pilot has been heard to call seconds after the apparent collision. The tower immediately started to distract other aircraft from Reagan.
Vice President JD Vance offered prayer in the same way in a self -explanation of social media
Transport secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday evening that he is 'on site at the FAA head office and keeping an eye on the situation'
Video of an observation camera in the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets that are consistent with aircraft that seem to merge into a fireball
Fire boats are currently on site that the river search, with details about the crash, including the cause and how many people on board were still unknown
Defense officials have confirmed that the Black Hawk was an army chakeler who was wearing three soldiers at that time
In a statement, the DC police said: 'At 8:53 pm several calls were received for an airplane crash above the Potomac River.
'DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and several partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. There is currently no confirmed information about victims.
The airport said in a post to X: 'All starts and landings have stopped at DCA. Emergency service responds to an aircraft incident at the airport. The terminal remains open. Will update. '
Images taken on the scene show dozens of emergency aid teams along the Riverside.
Images have also emerged from helicopters online with searchlights passing over the Potomac River.
Video of an observation camera in the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets that are consistent with planes that seem to merge into a fireball.
Flighttradar tracking data shows the last approach of the flight while it crosses the Potomac before it cuts out.
NBC -head meteorologist Doug Kammerer said that at the time of the incident the water temperature in the river was about 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Phases for emergency equipment in Gravelly Point, north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, along the Potomac River, Wednesday January 29, 2025
Lights of emergency vehicles are seen on Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, after an air crash near the Potomac Rive
Emergency services in Washington DC said that a small plane had crashed in the Potomac River near the Reagan National Airport, to be seen here
Kammerer said that at that temperature someone in the water only has 15 to 20 minutes before they start suffering from hypothermia.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall posted on his X and said: 'I saw the reports of a collision with a DC helicopter and an incoming flight from Wichita, KS.
'We have contact with authorities who work to get answers. We ask you to participate with us in prayer for every passenger and their families. '
The White House has also confirmed the nature of the crash, in which press secretary Karoline Leavitt Live confirmed that President Trump had been informed of the crash.
American Airlines said in a statement: 'We are aware of reports that American Eagle Flight 5342, managed by PSA, with the service of Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) was involved in an incident. We will provide information when it becomes available. '
In a post to X, vice-president JD Vance said: 'Please say a prayer for anyone involved in the collision in the air near Reagan Airport tonight.
“We follow the situation, but let's hope now.”
A FAA statement said: “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Regional Jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 ​​helicopter while around 9 p.m. local time on Reagan Washington National Arboopter on the Runway 33 on Reagan Washington National Airport.
'PSA worked as a flight 5342 for American Airlines. It left Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. '
Dailymail.com has approached the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for more information.
