Donald Trump issues concerning statement after American Airlines flight crashes with helicopter and 'splits in half' in mid-air
Donald Trump has issued a statement following the devastating news of an American Airlines flight crashing into a helicopter mid-air.
The PSA Airlines jet (AA 5432), which had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, was landing at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it was struck mid-air by a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter, carrying three soldiers on board, around 21:00 local time on Wednesday (29 January).
The plane had departed from Wichita Kansas, while the helicopter departed from from Fort Belvoir in Virginia on a training flight, a US military spokesperson told NBC News.
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According to witnesses of the devastating collision, both aircrafts subsequently plummeted into the Potomac River, with the plane said to have 'split in half', according to The Daily Mail. Search teams, boats and helicopters have since been dispatched to search for any survivors.
In the hours since, audio from air traffic control has emerged, having been recorded from moments before and after the collision.
At least 19 bodies have been found, according to CBS, with DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly telling press during a conference that his team 'don't know' if they'll find anybody alive.
He also revealed that the freezing temperatures and dark conditions in the water are proving difficult for rescue teams to work in.
"There is wind. There are pieces of ice in the water... And because there is not a lot of light, you are out there searching every square inch of space," he continued.
"These are very tough conditions for [rescuers] to dive in."
Following the horrific news, President Trump released a statement via The White House's Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, which said he has been 'fully briefed on the terrible accident' and that he was 'monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise'.
"May God bless their souls." he added.
However, on his social media platform, Truth Social, he listed what he believed had happened moments before the crash.
He penned: "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.
"It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn."
Then, he queried the control tower, and why the helicopter was not instructed to move out of the flight path of the plane, writing: "Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
In a separate comment, he signed off for the night: "What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!"
The US Figure Skating national governing body said in a statement that several members of its skating community were on the plane, with its athletes and coaches returning home from their time at the national development camp in Kansas.
In a statement, the body write: "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims' families closely in our hearts."
Meanwhile, American Airlines said their 'concern is for the passengers and assisting with emergency response efforts', adding: "We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts. If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers.
"Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly."
Topics: US News, News, Donald Trump, Politics
Rhiannon Ingle