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- 'Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane,' says US president
US President Donald Trump said early Thursday that mid-air collision near Washington's Reagan Airport "should have been prevented."
"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.
"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!!!" Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social.
His remarks came after an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided in midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.
"A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time," the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement.
The plane, operated by American Airlines, had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, the FAA said.
American Airlines confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
- Rescue operation is underway
Earlier, Trump said in a statement that he was fully briefed on the "terrible accident."
"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," he said.
The US Army confirmed that the aircraft involved in the incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Three US Army soldiers were on board a Black Hawk helicopter, a senior official said, according to reports. The source said no senior officials were on the helicopter.
The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region said the Black Hawk was taking part in a training flight.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said an investigation was launched "immediately" by the US Army and Department of Defense.
Washington, D.C. police said a multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River following the crash.
Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) said "takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted for the remainder of the evening."
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