Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has stated that the tragic mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter over Washington, D.C., could have been “preventable.”

Meanwhile, American Airlines has suggested that the pilot of the military Black Hawk helicopter may bear responsibility for straying into the flight path of the commercial aircraft.

The incident, which occurred just 400 feet above the Potomac River, appears to have resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals on board—60 passengers along with four crew members and three personnel from the U.S. Army.


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The American Airlines Flight 5342 was on its approach to Reagan National Airport, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and included members of the U.S. figure skating team, returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

According to the Daily Mail, Witnesses reported a catastrophic fireball at the moment of collision, which was captured on dashboard cameras of vehicles traveling on nearby highways.

The American Airlines plane crashed into the waters of the Potomac River as a result of the impact with the Black Hawk helicopter, which was conducting a routine training mission.

The military helicopter reportedly entered the airspace from an opposing direction, flying in near darkness, with neither aircraft appearing to be aware of the other’s presence until it was too late.

In the aftermath of the collision, more than 300 first responders and rescue personnel mobilized to the Potomac River, deploying inflatable boats and erecting powerful searchlights to penetrate the murky waters below in a desperate effort to locate any survivors.

So far, at least 28 bodies have been recovered from the river, but officials are now operating under the grim belief that no one survived the incident.

The focus has shifted to the recovery of the deceased and the notification of their families.

American Airlines’ CEO, Robert Isom, expressed concern, indicating an assumption of fault on the part of the Black Hawk helicopter pilot by questioning why the military aircraft entered the airspace of the commercial flight.

“At this time, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft,” Isom noted.

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, echoing sentiments previously articulated by President Donald Trump, concurred that the collision was indeed preventable.

“It was standard communication procedures that were in place, so there was no breakdown in communication between the military helicopter and the American Airlines flight,” Duffy elaborated.

“There was consistent communication between both aircraft and air traffic control.”

He further highlighted that the helicopter should have been aware of the proximity of the incoming plane, stating, “What I’ve seen thus far, do I believe this was preventable?

Absolutely.” Duffy remarked that both aircraft were adhering to standard flight patterns commonly observed in the D.C. area.

“It was a clear night; the helicopter was operating within a recognized flight path,” he added. “For those who reside in the D.C. area, seeing helicopters along the river is a regular occurrence.”

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  • End Time Headlines

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