Salvage operations begin after a tragic mid-air collision near DC, claiming 67 lives and leaving families in mourning.
Washington, D.C.: Salvage barges are heading to the crash site. This follows a tragic mid-air collision between a PSA Airlines plane and a military helicopter. The crash happened near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The collision resulted in 67 fatalities. So far, 41 bodies have been recovered. About 28 of those have been identified. Salvage operations are ongoing to help return remains to families.
The National Transportation Safety Board is involved. They announced that the barges will arrive from Virginia Beach. Their goal is to assist the coroner’s office with identifying and returning bodies quickly.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. It’s one of the worst aviation disasters in recent U.S. history. President Trump urged the nation to pray for the victims but controversially blamed diversity efforts for the incident.
Reports suggest an air traffic controller left work early that night. This may have contributed to the crash. Typically, different controllers manage planes and helicopters during the day. But at night, one controller often handles both.
On the day of the crash, a supervisor allowed a controller to leave early. This decision may have led to the collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army helicopter.
Trump also made claims on social media about the helicopter’s altitude. He criticized the Black Hawk pilot, saying the helicopter was flying too high. His comments have drawn significant backlash.
When asked about visiting the crash site, Trump responded insensitively. His remark about swimming in the water angered many, highlighting his lack of empathy for the victims.
