American Airlines CEO: Uncertainty Surrounds Helicopter’s Intrusion into Plane’s Flight Path Before Collision
On Thursday, the CEO of American Airlines stated that it remains uncertain why a U.S. Army helicopter crossed paths with a PSA regional jet, leading to a collision near Washington. Officials indicate that the incident likely resulted in no survivors.
During a news conference on Thursday, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom extended condolences to the over 60 individuals presumed dead in the accident and emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting those impacted.
“We are truly heartbroken for the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew members, as well as for those onboard the military helicopter,” he expressed.
As the news conference progressed, Isom seemed to question why the helicopter was in such close proximity to the jet.
“They collided with a military aircraft during what was otherwise a standard approach. Currently, we do not understand why the military aircraft entered the trajectory of the PSA aircraft,” he noted.
The helicopter was operated by a “relatively experienced crew” wearing night-vision goggles during a routine proficiency training flight, as stated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a video statement.
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On Thursday morning, officials announced that they believe all individuals onboard both the passenger plane and military helicopter died in the collision, which sent both aircraft into the Potomac River on Wednesday night. The search-and-rescue mission has now shifted to a recovery effort, according to reports.
“At this moment, we do not anticipate any survivors,” stated John Donnelly, the District of Columbia fire chief, during the press briefing, adding that 28 bodies had already been retrieved.
American Airlines confirmed that the flight carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while U.S. officials reported that the helicopter was transporting three soldiers on a training exercise. Passengers on the flight included ice skaters, their families, and coaches returning from recent events in Wichita, Kansas, including former Russian world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, as noted by the mayor of Wichita.
The tragic midair collision occurred as the passenger jet was making its approach to land at Reagan National Airport. Radio communications between air traffic control and the Black Hawk helicopter indicated the helicopter crew was aware of the plane’s proximity.
“All procedures preceding the crash were standard,” Duffy remarked. “Do I believe this was preventable? Absolutely.”
Isom indicated that the aircraft was piloted by a professional with roughly six years of experience. He mentioned that the company is fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board during their investigation.
“This is a challenging day for everyone at American Airlines, and our focus now is entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, and their families,” Isom remarked. “We are actively collaborating with local, state, and federal authorities concerning emergency response efforts, and our care team has been mobilized to assist our passengers and their loved ones.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
