
A video grab of the accident
Washington DC: The skies over Washington DC turned tragic as 67 lives were lost in a midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, resulting in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. Recovery teams managed to retrieve more than two dozen bodies from the frigid waters.
The collision occurred on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, evening, close to Ronald Reagan National Airport. Just prior to the incident, the pilots of the jet were instructed to change their landing approach, a decision that may have contributed to the tragedy, as revealed by audio recordings and insights from those familiar with the situation.
The jet, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 64 individuals, while the helicopter had three U.S. service members onboard.
This incident marks the most serious air disaster involving a commercial jet in the U.S. since 2009, with no survivors reported.
“American families today woke up without their loved ones after what should have been a routine trip, and the entire Nation mourns the loss of the victims.,” President Donald Trump stated. In response to this calamity, he vowed to ensure a comprehensive investigation, while also criticizing the oversight of the U.S. aviation agency during the previous administrations of Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
“This shocking event follows problematic and likely illegal decisions during the Obama and Biden Administrations that minimized merit and competence in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Obama Administration implemented a biographical questionnaire at the FAA to shift the hiring focus away from objective aptitude. During my first term, my Administration raised standards to achieve the highest standards of safety and excellence. But the Biden Administration egregiously rejected merit-based hiring, requiring all executive departments and agencies to implement dangerous “diversity equity and inclusion” tactics, and specifically recruiting individuals with “severe intellectual” disabilities in the FAA,” Trump stated.
He further informed that on his second day in office, he ordered an immediate return to merit-based recruitment, hiring, and promotion, elevating safety and ability as the paramount standard. “Yesterday’s devastating accident tragically underscores the need to elevate safety and competence as the priority of the FAA,” he commented and ordered the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (Administrator) to review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior 4 years and to take such corrective action as necessary to achieve uncompromised aviation safety, including the replacement of any individuals who do not meet qualification standards.
“This review shall include a systematic assessment of any deterioration in hiring standards and aviation safety standards and protocols during the Biden Administration,” he said.
“Consistent with the Presidential Memorandum of January 21, 2025, the Secretary and the Administrator shall take all actions necessary to reverse concerning safety and personnel trends during the prior 4 years, instill an unwavering commitment to aviation safety, and ensure that all Americans fly with peace of mind,” he asserted.
In New Delhi, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the collision in Washington DC. He also extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and said that Indians stand in solidarity with the people of the United States. In an X post, the Prime Minister said; “Deeply saddened by loss of lives in the tragic collision in Washington DC. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We stand in solidarity with the people of the United States. @realDonaldTrump”.