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President Donald Trump suggested the horrific collision betwixt an Army Black Hawk chopper and an American Airlines pitchy adjacent Reagan National Airport extracurricular Washington, D.C., precocious Wednesday could person been prevented.
"The airplane was connected a cleanable and regular enactment of attack to the airport. The chopper was going consecutive astatine the airplane for an extended play of time," Trump posted connected Truth Social aboriginal Thursday morning.
"It is simply a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights connected the level were blazing, wherefore didn’t the chopper spell up oregon down, oregon turn. Why didn’t the power operation archer the chopper what to bash alternatively of asking if they saw the plane. This is simply a atrocious concern that looks similar it should person been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 determination pitchy collided successful midair with a Sikorsky H-60 chopper portion connected attack to Runway 33 astatine Reagan National Airport (DCA) astir 9 p.m. section time. The pitchy was operating arsenic Flight 5342 for American Airlines, and it departed from Wichita, Kansas.
There were 60 passengers and 4 unit members aboard the American Airlines formation and 3 Army soldiers connected the Black Hawk. Those aboard the level included "several members" of U.S. Figure Skating, including athletes, coaches and household members who had conscionable attended the U.S. Figure Skating Championships held successful Wichita from Jan. 20 to Jan. 26.
The nonstop fig of injuries and fatalities has not yet been confirmed.
At the clip of the crash, Reagan National Airport reported wide skies, visibility of 10 miles and winds sustained retired of the northwest astatine 16 mph, gusting to 26 mph. The somesthesia was 50 degrees.
Nearly 300 archetypal responders deployed to the freezing Potomac River, wherever the wreckage of the level lies partially submerged for hunt and rescue operations, but anticipation of uncovering survivors is fading. The somesthesia successful the stream was 37 degrees connected Wednesday night.
AMERICAN FIGURE SKATING MEMBERS, RUSSIAN OLYMPIANS ABOARD PLANE IN REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT CRASH
Vice President JD Vance took to societal media Wednesday nighttime to code the collision and impulse supplication for those involved.
"Please accidental a supplication for everyone progressive successful the mid-air collision adjacent Reagan airdrome this evening. We're monitoring the situation, but for present let's anticipation for the best," helium said.
The National Transportation Safety Board, FAA and the U.S. Army person each launched probes into the deadly collision.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and different officials volition clasp a property league astatine 7:30 a.m. ET Thursday astatine Reagan National Airport.
"Tonight, arsenic our archetypal responders proceed their efforts, we are sending our emotion and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing nonaccomplishment during this unspeakable tragedy," she wrote connected X.
The airdrome remains closed until 11 a.m. this greeting pursuing the adjacent collision past nighttime betwixt an American Airlines rider pitchy and an Army helicopter.
"What a unspeakable nighttime this has been," Trump said. "God bless you all!"
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