A tragic disaster unfolded over the Potomac River on Wednesday night when a military helicopter collided mid-air with a commercial jet near Reagan National Airport. The horrifying crash, which involved a flight arriving from Wichita, Kansas, has left Washington, D.C. stunned and scrambling for answers.
At the latest count, at least eight bodies have been recovered from the frigid waters, while four passengers have been pulled out alive. The total number of passengers onboard was reportedly 60, though details are still developing. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the situation remains grim.
It was a standard training flight. They fly the river all day, every day. ATC did its job calling the traffic. It was a tragic accident caused by pilot error.
The Secretary of Defense isn’t organizing training flights.
Just stop. What you’re doing is gross. https://t.co/Egajc1B3eK
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 30, 2025
The federal government has moved quickly in response to the crisis. President Donald Trump issued a solemn statement late Wednesday night:
“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.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be leading the investigation into what caused the catastrophic collision. Meanwhile, newly-confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stated that the Pentagon is closely monitoring the situation.
“Principles First” means baselessly insinuating that an aircraft crash is the fault of the SecDef who has had the job for five seconds pic.twitter.com/QFxNF8UhKv
— Jerry Dunleavy IV 🇺🇸 (@JerryDunleavy) January 30, 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt swiftly addressed the media, confirming to Fox News that the helicopter was a military aircraft. However, details remain scarce on why it was flying in such restricted and heavily monitored airspace.
Vice President J.D. Vance has called for prayers for the victims and their families, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy—who had been sworn in just a day before the crash—was reported to be at the scene overseeing federal response efforts.
I don’t want to get political right now, but if left-wingers want to go down this road then we can.
We can start by noting that over 1000 applicants filed a class action lawsuit against the Biden’s FAA for discriminating based on DEI.
That’s where the shortage came from. pic.twitter.com/DiRPAK5oHt
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 30, 2025
One of the most unsettling aspects of this disaster is where it happened. The airspace over Washington, D.C. is among the most tightly controlled in the world, covering the heart of the U.S. government and heavily monitored by military and civilian air traffic control. For two aircraft to collide in such a high-security zone raises serious questions.
While authorities have yet to provide a clear explanation, early reports suggest that the military helicopter flew into active commercial airspace. But why? Was there a mechanical failure? A communications breakdown? Something worse?
What are the chances that an Army run by this boozy bozo would crash a Blackhawk helicopter into a plane at a DC airport tonight? I mean, really.
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@mrsbettybowers.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 10:43 PM