A tragic collision occurred when a US Army UH-60 helicopter collided with a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Immediately, some media outlets began pointing fingers at President Donald Trump and his administration, which is both premature and unfounded. Predictably, conspiracy theorists also jumped to conclusions without substantial evidence.
As expected, media bias reared its ugly head, with CNN leading the charge against Trump. The leftist media’s rush to judgment is nothing new, as they often blame conservative leaders for unrelated incidents. This knee-jerk reaction undermines the need for a thorough investigation.
In newly released audio from Reagan Air Traffic Control, the initial moments of the disaster are captured. The controller directs American Airlines Flight 5342 to take Runway 33 while instructing the helicopter to pass behind. However, the helicopter’s response was on a different frequency, leading to tragic miscommunication.
Fox News reports that the helicopter did respond, but the message went unheard by the main frequency. Just 40 seconds later, ground traffic control alerted the tower to the unfolding catastrophe. Chaos ensued as controllers worked frantically to divert other flights.
A female controller instructed, “Everybody hold your positions on the field right now,” as panic set in. The river became the crash site, with both aircraft ending up in the water. “All runways are closed,” she confirmed, prioritizing emergency response.
In the ATC audio, a controller can be heard directing American Airlines Flight 5342 (referred to as “CRJ”) to take Runway 33. The controller then instructs the helicopter (referred to “PAT25”) to pass behind the jet.
Here’s how the audio occurred:
“PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight? PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ,” the controller says.
No response is heard on the ATC audio feed. Fox News has learned that the helicopter did respond, but on a different frequency, a frequency for helicopters.
About 40 seconds later ground traffic control alerted the tower.
“Tower Did you see that?”
“Yup we saw it,” someone from the tower says, and then the controllers begin the process of frantically diverting the flights.
“Everybody hold your positions on the field right now,” a female controller says.
All hell then broke loose:
“Fire command. The accident happened in the river. Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river… he approached into Runway 33,” she says.
“All runways are closed. Nobody’s landing, no one moving at all,” she tells the fire command, adding that he has clearance to use all taxiways and runways for a response.
“It was probably out in the middle of the river, the controller says. “I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river. But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit, I would say about a half mile off the approach into 33,” she says.
The Army confirmed the Black Hawk helicopter was on a training flight, carrying three soldiers from Bravo Company. The regional jet had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. By morning, the situation had shifted from rescue to recovery, with no survivors anticipated.
This crash is the first involving a US commercial flight since 2009, marking a somber moment in aviation history. A comprehensive investigation is crucial to uncover the cause of this disaster. We must rely on facts, not finger-pointing, to arrive at the truth.
Despite the gravity of the situation, some will continue to use this tragedy for political gain. It’s disheartening to see knee-jerk reactions overshadowing the need for an unbiased investigation. Conspiracies and baseless accusations do nothing to honor the victims.
The focus should remain on uncovering the facts rather than assigning blame prematurely. Every piece of evidence must be scrutinized to prevent similar incidents in the future. It’s a time for unity and resolve, not division and speculation.
As the investigation progresses, it’s essential to resist the temptation of politicization. The truth should prevail over partisan narratives. The families of those involved deserve answers grounded in reality, not political agendas.
The role of air traffic control in this incident will be examined thoroughly. Communication breakdowns must be addressed to ensure safety. It’s a reminder that constant vigilance and improvement are vital in aviation.
While investigations continue, media outlets should exercise caution in their reporting. Responsible journalism should prioritize facts over sensationalism. The public deserves a clear and accurate understanding of what transpired.
Amidst the chaos, first responders and investigators are working tirelessly. Their dedication is commendable as they strive to piece together the sequence of events. It’s a testament to their professionalism and commitment.
As the facts come to light, let them guide our understanding. It’s important to wait for the investigation’s findings before drawing conclusions. Patience and integrity will lead to a more accurate picture of the crash.
Ultimately, the focus must remain on the people affected by this tragedy. Their loss is profound, and they deserve our solidarity and support. In the face of adversity, empathy should transcend political divides.
While the investigation unfolds, let’s resist divisive rhetoric. The truth is paramount, and it will emerge through diligent inquiry. Together, we can ensure that lessons are learned from this harrowing event.
