Black Boxes Recovered from Washington DC Mid-Air Collision
Investigators successfully retrieved the black boxes from a passenger jet that collided mid-air with a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The crash, which took place on Wednesday night, claimed the lives of 67 individuals.
Rescue teams continued working through freezing waters to recover victims, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder from the Bombardier jet had been located. The aircraft, operated by an American Airlines affiliate, was involved in a fatal collision with an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
“The recorders are now at the NTSB laboratories for further analysis,” the agency stated in a release to AFP.
Preliminary reports indicate that air traffic staffing shortages at Reagan National Airport might have been a contributing factor. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report suggested that only one air traffic controller was managing both the plane and helicopter at the time, rather than the standard two, as reported by The New York Times.
The collision created a massive fireball in the night sky, marking the most significant aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2009. American Eagle Flight 5342, en route from Wichita, Kansas, was on approach to Reagan National when the accident occurred. By Thursday evening, over 40 bodies had been recovered from the crash site.
Trump’s Response Sparks Controversy
During a press conference on the tragedy, former U.S. President Donald Trump used the incident to criticize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. He alleged that such policies led to incompetence within federal agencies and contributed to the disaster.
“They actually issued a directive: ‘too white.’ We need competent people,” Trump claimed, referencing DEI initiatives. His remarks targeted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whom he accused of prioritizing diversity over efficiency. “He’s run it right into the ground,” Trump said.
Trump’s statements prompted immediate backlash. Buttigieg responded on X (formerly Twitter), calling Trump’s remarks “despicable.” Democratic Senator Chris Murphy also condemned the comments, saying, “This happened under his watch.” In response, Trump doubled down by issuing a directive to review federal hiring standards under the Biden administration and replace any personnel deemed unqualified.
Skaters Among the Victims
Among those who lost their lives were several U.S. figure skaters and coaches, including members of the national team. Russian media confirmed that world champion pairs skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also among the victims. Additionally, two Chinese nationals were identified among the deceased, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.
As authorities continued to recover wreckage from the river, hopes of finding survivors diminished. “I saw a fireball, and then it was gone,” an air traffic controller reportedly said after losing communication with the helicopter.
Officials confirmed that both aircraft had been following standard flight paths under clear weather conditions. The Army Black Hawk helicopter was being piloted by a highly experienced crew conducting a routine night training exercise.
Investigators from the NTSB and other federal agencies are now working to determine the precise cause of the tragic accident.
