BREAKING: Plane, Black Hawk helicopter crash into Potomac River after colliding

[@SquashBlossom62]

They only have minutes if they're in that icy water.😢 I hope there are miracles happening tonight. My heart is with those people and their families.😢💔

[@sierraao1171]

4 survivors. 12 bodys.

[@gen_z_hippichikk]

Actually you have less time if the water is warmer. People can be revived from cold shock for quite a while, so don't give up if someone is stuck in cold water 👍

[@Pierre-wm3xs]

Oh if they survived the crash there's little chance anyone would survive in that water Especially at night. Especially if there's ice in the water

[@coleengoodell7523]

Amen

[@tenapappan4031]

The only good about the cold water if bleeding it will slow it down.

[@stevegodwin6416]

An airliner crash is bad enough. Crashing into a freezing river in the dark is terrifying and horrible. 60 passengers and 4 crew on board the AA flight. Let's hope there are survivors and that responders can get to them in time.

[@FinkPloyd504]

The landing area might be a blessing in disguise, if it crashed on land then there would likely be no survivors.

[@iamjackscompletelackofsurp9606]

Watch the rescue footage of the 1982 crash! Its incredible

[@TheEDFLegacy]

We can hope, but it's highly, highly unlikely, unfortunately. 😢 The Hudson River landing was only successful because it was a controlled landing into water, whereas this is likely uncontrolled at much higher speed, and even if there are survivors, it is absolutely freezing right now. Even at takeoff speed most airliners are flying above double interstate speeds.

[@ChristopherbiggsWA]

All souls lost

[@acruzro95]

​@FinkPloyd504 not necessarily. Most plane crash survivors for commercial aircraft survive when they land in the land. Remember people are strapped to their seats and have like 30 seconds to react. Unless the plane didn't sink is very easy to be stuck under water at a bunch meters deep. You cough or scream or inhale some of that water and you are pretty much done

[@reason6835]

Why was a helicopter in the approach path? That definitely shouldn’t happen.

[@pattilynnwahlsimmons]

Military helicopters are always in this area.

[@reason6835]

@@pattilynnwahlsimmons: Not flying through the approach path where planes are on short final. ATC has to clear them for that. Someone messed up BIGTIME.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Vasaviation has a good channel which will put out a vid of the radio comes between the tower and the passenger plane in a few days.

[@julesnagbunga1204]

​@@reason6835Once again, you are making assumptions.

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

@@pattilynnwahlsimmonsthere are never any helicopters of any kind allowed to fly in the landing or takeoff flight path of a commercial airport. This is major screwup.

[@tomarmstrong4761]

My late uncle was an air traffic controller at the Leesburg VA center. From what little he told me about his work, the 'trollers are deeply traumatized when stuff like this happens in their airspace, and I respect that. I grieve for the victims and their loved ones, even the survivors. This is just awful.

[@brightstarsunshine5301]

That Helicopter flew right into the plane! WTH... prayers for all on that plane! Thank you responders 😢

[@rockdots69]

It definitely looked like it flew right into it... my first thought 😮... terrible tragedy... 🙏 😢

[@vena936]

I'm wondering if it was internally or suicidal?

[@KChelseaVenus]

​@@vena936 who that is very important in politics was on that plane? That's the question.

[@mrtaxi204]

​@@vena936it was a drunken pete hegseth taking a DoD blackhawk for joy ride

[@JanBateman-t3d]

I felt that to. It looked literal!

[@user-rr9lv9ll4x]

This is awful. Condolences to all families and friends of those lost.

[@Not-a-GSD]

@@user-rr9lv9ll4x You can thank Trump for that. It was a military aircraft and lack of proper air traffic control that caused this accident.

[@Mr.White10-65]

@@Not-a-GSD You are stupid and don't forget it!

[@MaryBarlow-f2g]

​@@Not-a-GSDa Biden DEI hire is to blame.

[@the_red_caps_are_coming]

So is everything else. Where can I donate my thoughts, prayers, and water?

[@tallyholightguy5353]

This is Trumps fault, last week Trump FIRED the heads of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard, and disbanded the Aviation Security Advisory Committee.

[@kjmav10135]

So tragic. I cannot imagine the terror. My heart goes out to all involved.

[@thanos8914]

As someone who was literally under the World Trade Center when the first plane hit. I definitely can imagine

[@kjmav10135]

@ Oh my god. I am glad you lived through that, but, wow. Abject fear. 😧

[@suzdeangelo2314]

Why the frig was a Black Hawk in the line of a passenger jet? What is going on?

[@julesnagbunga1204]

You're making assumptions!

[@PaulFormentos]

Order out of Chaos......

[@PaganoKharmatran-q3u]

​@@julesnagbunga1204they literally said it was a Blackhawk

[@gardy4390]

The new DEFENSE secretary has a lot of questions to answer.

[@aubrey1633]

​@@gardy4390he's probably drunk.

[@SaskiaEst]

A blackhawk? On the flight path? That seems extremely odd.

[@Bob-h3n]

I thought Hegseth said he would stop drinking?

[@waleed8530]

@@Bob-h3n Can you name any ASEAN country?

[@janejones8672]

DC has several Black Hawk Helicopters monitoring DC 24/7

[@jenk264]

We have a former reality star as head of the FAA. That's encouraging.

[@tamiflo]

Thank goodness my husband retired from the FAA a couple years ago .. prayers for all involved 🙏 ❤

[@firequeen2194]

Ikr? 😢

[@Bob-h3n]

And a drunk in charge of the Pentagon.

[@jamesclaytonbowman5977]

well, I would guess that most FAA employees haven't had time to evaluate whether or not to take the offered Trump buyout, but once that Deep State Purge gets momentum... I'm sure the "Loyalty Trumps Experience" movement will pay great dividends.

[@ImRonBurgandy]

Only calling Predator Pete a drunk is lcomplimenting him

[@NicolasMendoula]

This year is exhausting

[@SiriusLee_Speaking]

... and it's still January 😢

[@IIRealize]

🥈

[@howtoguidesamharic5071]

Sad!

[@bettireagan]

Ten days in. Every day is worse than the one before.

[@dudeinc6291]

You should see 2026

[@Syl839]

OMG, those poor people, in that cold water!

[@katjay3125]

Yup..frigid air and water temps

[@davidwilkins5932]

From the looks of that collision, it’s doubtful that anybody felt anything for very long.

[@firewurx]

@@davidwilkins5932 ... my guess is that they did not die on impact. They likely drowned in a pitch black steel tube on the bottom of the river.

[@broncosblud]

@@firewurx some people just tell it how it is!

[@BLOXKAFELLARECORDS]

Burrrrrrr

[@amberandrews6842]

A Blackhawk? In the flight path? That seems extremely odd.

[@KChelseaVenus]

Isn't it used now for lifting off the immigrants they are raiding in some states to send them to detained?

[@johnc3525]

Stupid has no limit in Trump's America.

[@bobtube58]

Ask the Commander in Chief.

[@drewclarke5920]

first reports said it was a sikorsky now saying blackhawk next a UFO l suppose....

[@neilkurzman4907]

@@bobtube58 I guess since Trump would’ve blamed Biden for this, Trump obviously takes responsibility as commander and chief

[@kcandline]

Ummmm... The Bombardier didn't close with the Silorsky ... It was the other way around. That airliner was on final approach. The helicopter has no place being there

[@marky4x429]

Pentagon will claim that Bombardier suddenly flew backwards and hit the helicopter. Signed by Pete H. And anybody talking against that will be threatened by Elon M.

[@margaretbellefountaine9472]

Orders from Pete hegsworth

[@erichorton9621]

@@margaretbellefountaine9472 just stop with the blaming game Karen

[@jamesnichols5163]

@@kcandline helo was told to maintain visual seperation and didn’t, idk why they lost sight, they confirmed they had the crj insight around 15secs prior, although why visual seperation is allowed at such a busy airport idk

[@alaingadbois2276]

⁠@@jamesnichols5163Maybe they had a different jet in sight, did not see the closer one.

[@AveryCD]

Our new DUI hire Defense Secretary has ALOT of questions to answer. Condolences to all friends and families of the victims involved in this tragic incident🙏🙏

[@TalismanPHX]

Excellent reporting NBC. Praying for the victims and first responders safety 😮

[@MagneticFlux5]

That helicopter looks like it flew right into the plane!!

[@diana6840]

It looks that way to me too! BTW, will we get to see the passenger lists?

[@meggison4674]

Imo this wasn't an accident. Just a distraction. I pray for all the passengers!

[@joeb134]

I think I speak for most people when I say, we are sick of you.​@meggison4674

[@joeb134]

Imo your opinion doesnt matter​@@meggison4674

[@Ilovewbd]

Federal funding covers aviation safety. Prayers. 😔

[@ckendall67]

Yep. 😞

[@Mutanttaint]

True, but it doesn't cover pilot error

[@richardhorn7688]

@@ckendall67what funding for aviation safety was cut?

[@blacksuburbiamusicgroup7122]

@@richardhorn7688they alert the pilot when any other flying vehicle is in the flight path

[@nurabunny]

@@Mutanttaint This is an air traffic control error. Which is a federally funded position.

[@jimbojaime3896]

A US airliner crashed in the Potomac in Washington D.C. after colliding with a helicopter. American Airlines Flight AA5342 coming from the Midwest was in a holding pattern intending to land at Ronald Reagan Airport. The Blackhawk Helicopter was being operated by one of the branches of the military transporting an unknown VIP, (PAT-Priority Air Transport) when both of the craft collided. AA5342 had 64 (including crew of 4) occupants and has sunk to the bottom of the Potomac River. No ID on the VIP being transported. Search & Rescue Operations are now underway. No survivors have been found as of 10:22 p.m. However, NBC is now reporting that 4 survivors have been rescued. Unclear if the helicopter had its transponder turned off at the time of the collision. Video appears to show that the rotors from the helicopter struck the rear fuselage of the AA5342 as it was in the process of making its final approach to land at Ronald Reagan Airport. The video was caught on dashcam of a passing vehicle. It is also being noted that the PAT was coming from CIA HQ, from Langley.

[@TanVinh-h2h]

Thanks!

[@katsong3302]

cia vip on blackhawk wonder if truth will be told

[@TheKris519]

What’s a Blackhawk helicopter doing over the river, and how did it run into a passenger plane??? This is inexcusable!!

[@ColleenMarie321]

How awful! I fly into DCA a lot. I pray they find some survivors. Sending prayers to all on the aircrafts and their families! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@KZIGGYZIG]

65 people on the plane, and three Army officers on the H-60 Blackhawk. Nine separate fire departments from Marryland, Virginia, and DC responding along with Military emergency crews. No survivors reported as of 11PM EST.

[@soapboxstomper60]

Just reported on msnbc that four survivors were pulled out thusfar. Not confirmed

[@ЧитаДрита-ш9ю]

😱

[@byronedwards8157]

There is no way anyone could survive in that icy water. That blackhawk had no business being there.

[@neilkurzman4907]

Two officers and an enlisted

[@Lurch-Bot]

It would appear this happened across the river from Giesboro Park. I have literally stood there and looked at the airport before, watching planes land on the same approach. Also near the Defense Intelligence Agency. This is 100% the military pilot's fault. That's just how the regs are written for helicopters. Pretty much automatically their fault if they hit a plane. And they flew right into the approach path of a major airport. An absolutely despicable display of incompetent airmanship. The military usually can't talk directly to ATC due to having a radio designed for different frequencies than civilians use and that needs to change. Military aircraft do not have TCAS and that also needs to change. And military aircraft should always be broadcasting an ADS-B transponder signal when in civil airspace. Always. No exceptions unless we are being invaded. Foreign adversaries can satellite track them even without a transponder signal so there is no national security argument to be made for flying in controlled airspace with no transponder and effectively no radio.

[@boombasett6038]

This year really started off rough

[@ronsingh3121]

Year of the snake not good man

[@soapboxstomper60]

Evil new administration leaves a bad bad taste in everyones mouths😮

[@IIRealize]

@@soapboxstomper60 🥈

[@longdonfamily3222]

@@soapboxstomper60not for more than half the country you sicko. Prayers to these victims.

[@LetItBeSummer-1]

December 31 seems like many years ago…

[@garyd2330]

I blame Trump for the mental health state of our country.

[@michelemarr76]

I do, too.

[@RonWatson-ze5xs]

@@michelemarr76 -- Get yourself some Help, Fool !

[@MikePoulson-qt1me]

Probably a DEI pilot, didn't know how to fly.

[@soapboxstomper60]

Accidents happen when folks are so distracted by all the dystopian damage trump admin is causing our country in his first weeks. Leads folks to take their eyes off the ball… loose job focus, and causes suicidal ideation in others.

[@joytoyouandme4593]

Give me a break- we just came out of 4 years with a dementia ridden president.

[@AGoodJoe]

Terrible. One more reminder of why funding and regulation tend to be so important.

[@tesfayfarah774]

Really how this is this important now

[@frankhughes5702]

How does funding and regulations have anything to do with a tragic accident and mistakes?

[@mark-ko9py]

Yeah, I don't think this accident is going to have anything to do with funding or 'regulation.' Helicopter pilots made a serious error, as humans do, and often times the result of these errors isn't catastrophic, but in a small % of cases they are.

[@Abcdefghijk920]

@@tesfayfarah774 because ATC is on a KNOWN shortage and training takes years to get to the level of operating this level airport. Airlines are adding more and more aircrafts knowing ATC is on a shortage with very little relief. This is sooo important

[@tesfayfarah774]

@@frankhughes5702 if your name has Joe in it , you are evil 😈 as it gets , don’t mind him , let’s just pray 🙏

[@Makeitmakesense757]

Somebody wake Pete Hegseth up out of his stupor😅

[@nadinehopkins8150]

😅😅😅

[@karigunderson5284]

He's probably passed out by now after another night of binge drinking.

[@Sypherz]

The officers on board were likely following the new happy-hour protocol.

[@HerosAndZeros]

Give it another hour and Fox ”News” will blame Joe Biden for this crash…

[@Sanzen]

Last week, Trump fired the head of the TSA and disbanded the ASAC. Probably a coincidence.

[@SchoolforHackers]

There are no coincidences.

[@conniemcfalls4357]

So who was the VIP on the helicopter?

[@neilkurzman4907]

@@conniemcfalls4357 The crew of a Blackhawk is three. So there was no passenger

[@blackcat-sv5rj]

​@@conniemcfalls4357take the seat my man

[@conniemcfalls4357]

@@neilkurzman4907 ty

[@mylifeinhouston]

Poor families there to pick up there family…the plane was about to land…this is so tragic😢😢😢😢😢

[@robe2504]

You can't imagine the absolute horror and grief. Just like that Korean plane from Jeju a few weeks ago.

[@MaryBarlow-f2g]

They might of had an Uber

[@boaz784]

Plus their families in Kansas that saw them leave. 😰

[@richduerr4471]

There are not going to be any survivors of this crash. The fact that it happened over the Potomac River not only guarantees that any possible survivors will have drowned or frozen to death, but oddly means that nobody on the ground was killed by the falling aircraft wreckage. So terrible for the people on the aircraft, fortunate for the people on the ground. It is just the harsh truth, but the results of this crash, as bad as it is, could have been horribly worse.

[@sierraao1171]

There are 4 survivors. But that was over a hour ago. I doubt at this point they find any more.

[@aaronbullington8601]

Think about your tax dollars. The GOP says aviation safety is not a priority

[@patrickthomas2119]

right because just throwing money at something means it gets fixed; what a clown.

[@markbeeksma8035]

The new helicopter pilot was hired under Biden. I wonder if merit was involved in that decision.

[@toolwithintention]

Everyone knows aviation safety is important, also, we have a country to fix thanks to the democrats who can’t tie a shoe!

[@DrewFinch-y3q]

Go away Loser 😂

[@G5Ckxew]

It's not. More people die from Mexican Fentanyl overdoses

[@QueenV-po5cs]

Praying for their rescue. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Universal_Bias]

Is it me or does it look like that helicopter had more than enough time to avert?

[@Mutanttaint]

We dont know.

[@Universal_Bias]

​@@Mutanttaintshhhhhh

[@Mutanttaint]

@@Universal_Bias why?

[@rolypoly4920]

It def looks like it. The heli was passing right by the approach. I have no idea why they thought it was okay to be there.

[@JeanLeite-d1e]

They had plenty of time to divert and visuals too!

[@MaverickBlue42]

From Canada my heart goes out, I hope everyone is recovered safely

[@TT-qo9dv]

Military helicopter collides with passenger plane. Pete’s in charge of the military.

[@MillennialDiligence-sx8re]

Hegseth is an evil SOB. I wouldn't put this past him.

[@southpaw4755]

That is a ridiculous statement. You should be ashamed.

[@amberandrews6842]

He's clueless.

[@MillennialDiligence-sx8re]

@@TT-qo9dv Pete is a psychopath.

[@StephenLeon-kl2fw]

Crazy Pete would authorize flying helicopters so close to potential disaster near an airport.. not a good first week of giving orders. I want him in front of the camera NOW; mainly, to see if he is even sober!!

[@michelemarr76]

This is terrible. I lost a good friend in a plane crash. I know how horrible it is for the family. Many prayers!🙏🙏🙏

[@DanetteHoak-cn9su]

Sorry about the loss of your friend 🙏🩷🩵

[@deborahhovan6464]

Oh no, praying for all involved and the amazing first responders! 🙏🙏🙏😢😢😢😢

[@toriawilliams9431]

Pray the people are OK 🙏

[@blackcat-sv5rj]

Gotta be honest I'd be amazed if even 1 person makes it alive from crash at goodness knows what speed into water that acts as a solid at speed and then after that it's freezing giving them like 2 minutes at best probably if they survived all that other stuff

[@tylere.8436]

We can only hope, my mind is telling me otherwise given the video.

[@TheCapnchronick]

It looks like the helicopter ran into the plane

[@nic.h]

Hard to tell who had priority, but my guess would be the plane.

[@JeanLeite-d1e]

It did. Sky Australia shows the full video and the chopper clearly flew into the plane!

[@dannyphan1352]

YUP

[@nic.h]

@JeanLeite-d1e the video isn't particularly clear from that distance. The Sky New report commented that they thought it looked like the plane MAY have descended down and hit the helicopter. Another eyewitness reported sparks from the underside of the plane. Either way I don't think it's clear from the video who hit who, but it's clear someone was not where they should have been. My guess is the helicopter as it seems unlikely the plane would be on approach for landing without clearance. Anyway just speculation and we'll find out soon enough I suspect.

[@johnc3525]

Thought it was a migrant plane.

[@mrbiaux991]

MidAir collision in 2025… Unbelievable 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@TjwillDamaverick1]

That part this is somebody’s fault

[@jamesnichols5163]

@@mrbiaux991 unbelievable it hasn’t happened before now with the overstretched atc, visual separation approaches at major airports, and clearing aircraft to land before the runway is clear to save time, both of which are not allowed in Europe in most cases

[@john-michaellelievre6118]

Not really. More traffic congestion equals more chance for accidents.

[@Raelven]

And THIS is why freezing Federal funding can not happen, ever, period.

[@thejwviolinist]

And what correlation do you see between federal funding and pilot error?

[@StephenLeon-kl2fw]

This is the first place federal aid cuts would impact. He has blood on his hands now. Icebreakers aren't even ready to go either it seems... wow, epic disaster due to total negligence.

[@MBvideos553]

Nothing to do with funding.

[@avoxyisbetterthanyou]

@@thejwviolinistaviation safety is funded federally, ATC, safety precautions, crash investigation all funding on hold, hope I answered

[@Gabedudley1]

This is why you lost. Complete logic failure

[@rogueninja1685]

Right when dear leader decided to f with the FAA

[@sampicano]

Back off! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN I'M GLAD TRUMP CUT EMERGENCY RESCUE FUNDING

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

You're all idiots. This has nothing to do with Trump, and it has nothing to do with DEI. It's not like there's no money the minute after a spending freeze has been announced. And of course the MAGA supporters are absolutely brainless in their responses.

[@user-gl5ux5xk3k]

@@sampicano excuse me maggot? Back off?

[@snoozen59]

@@sampicanobrainwashed brain dead maga cult member

[@RevoZep]

​@MikeHunt-qu6sk ignore this bot trying to stir rage. He is trash.

[@williestewart1216]

Prayers for everyone aboard both aircrafts

[@MichaelVileleagueofintrigue]

yours so-called prayers ONLY make YOU "feel" good.

[@cnault3244]

And while you are praying, you should ask your god why they didn't prevent it.

[@prettyasapeachxo]

@@MichaelVileleagueofintrigueThere is absolutely nothing wrong with someone using prayer to respond to tragedies like this. It costs nothing to be kind.

[@lilacscentedfushias1852]

@@cnault3244 👏🏼

[@CynthiaLanders1]

@@MichaelVileleagueofintrigue Exactly! Prayer is self-soothing behavior. Self-soothing is a perfectly fine thing to do, but pray-ers always want to congratulate themselves for it so people will think they're virtuous

[@craigmcallister2310]

I would say the helicopter collided with the plane! The plane seems to be on an established approach.

[@blllo1207]

What is a military aircraft doing in civilian air space near an Air Port

[@rudder727]

The Pentagon is literally across the street. This blackhawk was a VIP transport. Lots of government locations where they pick up and drop off people.

[@louiewatson9389]

We do it all the time. We often have a small area at the airport just for our helicopters. National Guard helicopters.

[@techgraphics5471]

that's all the random military activity that's been happening above us from the biden administration because of russian/china "threats" 🙄🙄

[@romabqui]

Ask Hegseth at the bar

[@robbannstrom]

Tragic incident. It looks like the helicopter was in the wrong place, while the jet was on approach to Reagan Airport.

[@city_by_the_bay7769]

that was no accident

[@cindytripp]

National.

[@eddieedmondson7698]

Are you sure about that? Couldn't be the jet at fault? Sorry, didn't mean to question your expertise.

[@lawnman3638]

Wonder if this has something to do with all the cuts being made. The US has not lost a jet like this in years.

[@WayOfTheZombie]

Pete Hegseths first epic fail?

[@andrewstevenson118]

Oh of course not. Don't be melodramatic.

[@elroythegreat1590]

😂 You got this.

[@gcgiann]

Get those DEI pilots back on duty!

[@MsPoodlepie]

Heartless loser!!

[@darryldworak6356]

@WayOfTheZombie People died and all you can think about is your stupid politics of course your tryna find a win for your side out of a tragedy that’s why nobody messes with the Dems anymore

[@julesnagbunga1204]

This is down to the brilliance and the professionalism of the first responders. The survivors will have these people to thank both at the scene and at the hospitals.

[@douglasc9182]

Survivors?

[@CynthiaLanders1]

"Brilliance and professionalism" ?? How do you know they weren't clumsy and clueless? Were you there?

[@Not-a-GSD]

First responders are in recovery not rescue mode…

[@nancychandler367]

Oh my. Recovery 😢

[@EmmaPeel1955]

They are in the freezing Potomac River.

[@Crusky2]

TSA director was fired by current administration.

[@louiewatson9389]

I'm sure their bags not being searched caused it. 🙄

[@Crusky2]

@ of course Trump is responsible for nothing.😃

[@ThinhNguyen-f3p]

BS!

[@clintonwoody420]

that is misinformation would you like to post a source

[@blackcat-sv5rj]

​@@louiewatson9389showing your ignorance there just a bit

[@Lurch-Bot]

You can expect a lot more incidents like this with Mr. Hatchet Man in office. Deregulation is the last thing you want if you want flying to be safe.

[@Eta9261]

I also wanna see a passenger manifest for both aircraft. Something feels so off about this. Pilot(s) for the helicopter made no obvious attempt to avoid the collision and flew straight into the side of a passenger jet? Its feeling more like an assassination being disguised as an accident

[@desiderata7704]

I'm not one for conspiracy theories but... 💯

[@lastalive7403]

Congratulations on being the first conspiracy theorist in the comments. Let's say the helicopter was intentionally flown by a radical left Demoncrat into a planeload of Republican Congressmen! 🤪

[@Eta9261]

@ me either normally haha but the way the helicopter just barreled straight into the plane is giving me bad vibes to say the least

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

I guess defenestration would be copying his puppet master too closely.

[@cherylclark2816]

Yep I'm thinking the same thing

[@cgiii2440]

A microcosm of the trajectory of this presidency

[@soapboxstomper60]

Absolutely!! Nothing but evil coming out of this admin😮

[@CloakedShaman]

And yet somehow, this "trajectory" is still far better than where we were heading previously

[@edithhardy5759]

Yes evil

[@cherieestbien1902]

it will be a tragic four years for the US if he makes it through to the end

[@MikePoulson-qt1me]

Probably a DEI helicopter pilot, didn't know how to fly.

[@itsvictoroyedeji]

How does a Blackhawk military plane collide right into a plane with the lights clearly on??? I hope this wasn’t a s@icide mission by the Blackhawk plane.

[@Eta9261]

From the video i saw it looks like the plane was in an approved flight path for either takeoff or approach . The plane isnt that high off the ground from the looks of it, and then this helicopter just basically makes a b-line from a different direction straight into the plane. Even if no plane was there, why is a helicopter crossing a flight path like that so close to the airport?How did the chopper pilots not see this aircraft? They literally flew straight into it

[@alicewoodard2373]

Makes you wonder if they were ordered to collide with the plane .😮

[@Eta9261]

@ sure looks like they did it intentionally. They’re already on the news making excuses for the chopper pilots and how distracted they are while flying the chopper as if that explains crossing over an approach flight path into the side of a massive jet with no attempt to avoid it.

[@laurie113]

Thank you! I have the same questions

[@gloriacotton3739]

Me too.....thoughts are the same.

[@hollyweir7537]

So tragic. I remember the 80s plane crash into bridge when I was driving home from work in Rockville to VA....ugh. As a former resident there so sad to see this.

[@Getyourheadoutyourass]

You’re really old if you were around for that

[@mynintendogamingfeed5208]

Was that one in which an aircraft crashed due to icing?

[@aeromoe]

Yup - 13 January 1982 Air Florida flight 90. RIP. RIP to all these folks involved too.😓😓

[@Sueblueify]

I remember that as well. It was in the winter too.

[@MostlyElectrolytes]

I still remember that crash.

[@4362mont]

Was Hegseth piloting the helicopter?

[@WinstonSmith24]

No. DUI Tim Walz was.

[@musicilike69]

50/50 if Hesgeth is out cold, drunk.

[@Faesharlyn]

So weird that it was a blackhawk

[@Faesharlyn]

​@WinstonSmith24 i'll bet you have more dui's than tim walz

[@StephenLeon-kl2fw]

Hegseth doesn't even know what a black hawk helicopter is, let alone able to run DoD. Between Heggy and Trump's federal cuts.. this is negligence on an epic scale. Happened in DC too, first place expected to be affected by cutting funding.

[@speederbryan]

Well that didn’t take long.. isn’t Hegseth only into his 3rd day??

[@alicewoodard2373]

Yeah, he really knows how to do his job..😳

[@soapboxstomper60]

Maybe this will sober him up the the responsibility he is assuming and confirmed for

[@mnunez1618]

Stay tuned for Trump's statement to blame Biden and the democrats for this.

[@Gabedudley1]

No that would be dems the last 10 years. Sit back and watch how winners do it

[@carriedixon6844]

You are right

[@danielch6662]

​@@Gabedudley1 who was President before Biden?

[@VolkXue]

@@Gabedudley1 didnt happen though and now our allies are running for China and away from the USA.

[@southpaw4755]

Its an accident. Thats all that needs to be said.

[@annawarner5483]

Were the black hawk pilots actual trained, experienced pilots or wannabes Hegseth put in black hawk?

[@Maruman_man]

Hegseth is so unqualified for the position. He makes WEI hires look like geniuses.

[@aubrey1633]

Someone's getting fired. This is crazy. I hope everyone is rescued quickly.

[@lynnhoffmann247]

If the helicopter hit the plane on purpose (early reports), he’s beyond fired.

[@MrKevinLeis]

That helicopter took them out. The plane was as clearly visible as. Who was on that flight?????

[@lorrie7901]

I had the same thought.

[@MaryBarlow-f2g]

I'm guessing people were on that flight

[@Jy-xq2ew]

​@MaryBarlow-f2g??. He asked who.. not what

[@techgraphics5471]

that's all the random military activity that's been happening above us from the biden administration because of russian/china "threats" 🙄🙄

[@neilkurzman4907]

Do you have a conspiracy theory for every news event that you see? So both pilots decided they needed to crash a helicopter into a specific plane. And somehow that thought doesn’t hurt your head

[@kenmahoney5255]

Seeing the video of the collision, it almost looks like the helicopter was chasing the plane down and then obviously collided. I'm not saying that that is what happened at all but the angle of the video kinda makes it look that way! Hearts go out to all involved and hope for lives saved! Some of us older folk remember the airline crash back in the 80's and the horrific videos of those folks in the water.😢

[@johntucker5994]

I had the same impression from the video and agree with your caveats. But from the video, it looked like the plane would have been in the helicopter pilot's line of sight so why did the helicopter continue without averting? This scene suggests at least recklessness, if not intent, on the part of the helicopter pilot. But again, you cannot reach conclusions on the basis of this short clip alone.

[@kenmahoney5255]

@johntucker5994 absolutely agree with you. Definitely not trying to draw my own conclusions from that short clip!👍

[@kenmahoney5255]

@Regina-ue8ck ? Keep watching the video. It shows the collision and the explosion.

[@melissastory1993]

I was thinking the same thing, so I googled whether or not Blackhawks have TCAS (although then remembered it’s not active under 1,000 ft), and found a thread of updates from people who have more aviation expertise. Apparently the helicopter was instructed to go behind the plane and maintain visual separation. So it seems likely they misjudged the distance. There’s also discussion that the lights in behind the plane may have added to the difficulty keeping track of the plane’s lights at night.

[@johntucker5994]

@ That's tragic.

[@kathymanthey2062]

If it was the helicopter that ran into the plane I don't know how they didn't see the plane in time to avoid it.

[@Uniquepyro420]

Our country was built by immigrants and small businesses. Hes also attracted native Americans who were the original American people. Never saw a more racist person in my 40 year life

[@MTZ246]

How could a Blackhawk helicopter not see a plane on their radar, high tech helicopter???

[@NothingToSeeHere1141]

I don't see the military making this mistake. I just don't. It will be interesting to see the passenger manifest from the plane. 🤔

[@gryph01]

​@@NothingToSeeHere1141 Both aircraft were in controlled airspace. ATC directs them.

[@StephenLeon-kl2fw]

Could be terrorism due to federal cuts on law enforcement. Could be lack of air traffic controllers due to federal hiring freeze and cuts... either way, it's negligence on the executive.

[@todd-617]

Blackhawks don't have radar onboard. He may have had ADSB, but probably not.

[@marky4x429]

They are designed to destroy, not to avoid collisions.

[@bittenichtofnen]

Omg, I pray 🙏 for the individuals involved including rescue teams.

[@cnault3244]

And while you are praying, you should ask your god why they didn't prevent it.

[@bittenichtofnen]

@cnault3244 which god?

[@bittenichtofnen]

@cnault3244 omg stands for oh my goodness 😂😆.

[@cnault3244]

@@bittenichtofnen Whichever one you were praying to.

[@cnault3244]

@@bittenichtofnen "omg stands for oh my goodness " And what you posted was "Omg, I pray 🙏 for the individuals involved including rescue teams." Who or what are you praying to?

[@jenk264]

Holy crap! We'll see how qualified Trump's new pick is for the head of the FAA

[@soapboxstomper60]

Rumps disassembling everything, not fixing anything😮

[@aprilzhang3393]

So terribly sorry for all of the people and their families 😢

[@MJPaisley-p1z]

I remember when I was a young teen The airplane crash on the 14th Street bridge between Arlington and DC. That was severely tragic. This collision is kind of brought back all of that for me.

[@Stylux-z1p]

with all that smart AI driven modern radar, communication equipment, GPS in the 21st century. and still ...

[@StephenLeon-kl2fw]

Could be terrorism, remember they've used planes before, and with all the cuts to law enforcement and the demoralized federal law enforcement agencies with an executive who thinks they're the enemy...

[@davidsassoon2607]

VERY SAD... EXCELLENT REPORTING

[@KevinLance-ne3to]

How in the f does this happen?! It's absolutely horrible and absolutely ridiculous!

[@triplea7668]

This is way to INTENTIONAL. A Black Hawk is sophistical military copter. You can see the copter is going straight into the plane at a relatively higher speed comparing to passenger aircraft. Someone better come out with a clear answer what happened.

[@oscaroscar2356]

Where’s the video ?

[@18_rabbit]

there is an actual cognitive bias that u r falling into. Something like never ascribe to intentions that which results from mistakes. Did u know how mistake prone ppl are? Roughly we make mistakes a third of the time, depending on various factors. Some ppl even more!. You clearly are not informed and perhaps not educated enough.

[@BenVargas78]

Prayers for all those involved.

[@CynthiaLanders1]

Praying is just an ordinary self-soothing behavior. Self-soothing is a perfectly fine thing to do but is nothing to brag about

[@deadtoadsoup]

I think he prefers texts these days.

[@longdonfamily3222]

@@CynthiaLanders1it’s America. Freedom of religion. Don’t like it-leave.

[@Imhavinganervousbreakdown]

@@CynthiaLanders1 what is wrong with you saying this about prayer at a time like this?

[@CynthiaLanders1]

@@longdonfamily3222 No need for me to leave for godsakes. Freedom of religion is great! Just like freedom of SPEECH is great. Like the freedom to point out people's fake virtue silliness. If I want to self-soothe(a perfectly ordinary thing to do), I might take a bubble bath, but I don't conspicuously _brag_ "My bubbles go out to the victims and first responders." Because that would look silly and self-congratulatory. See?

[@barbarawoodward6794]

Immediate flashback to Air Florida 90 which took off from then National Airport and crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac on January 13, 1982.

[@dayniasykora7213]

I was thinking about the same exact thing. I live around 25 minutes from scene and it’s like a bad flashback.

[@barbarawoodward6794]

@@dayniasykora7213 I lived in Reston and remember it well. At the same time there was a fire in the Metro.

[@claudemiropacheco]

But it that was very different. That one didn’t take off. This one is potentially more dangerous. A crash at low altitude, low speed, the pilot doesn’t have much room

[@lf3541]

The video of those desperate rescues haunt me to this day. God this one looks worse.

[@dayniasykora7213]

@@claudemiropacheco For sure a midair poses the likelihood of a catastrophic outcome in nearly all situations and the video doesn’t give me much optimism. With all of the near misses and failures to maintain separations recently many of us were very scared a midair was just a matter of time. We rely on TCAS to avoid them, but when you factor in a helicopter the calculus totally changes. This will cause chaos in the industry.

[@Schwarzkald]

That looks intentional! How can a chopper not see the plane's strobe lights! That chopper was going real fast to catch up with the plane!

[@avoxyisbetterthanyou]

A heli could never ‘’catch’’ a plane, he would have to intercept it, and it’s extremely hard to intentionally intercept something especially and airliner in a helicopter

[@CloakedShaman]

​@avoxyisbetterthanyou lol

[@emma_t_s]

I thought I heard the ATC say to fly behind the plane. It was on another YT channel.

[@marky4x429]

@avoxyisbetterthanyouAt approach speed 150 mph, no problem for a Blackhawk to fly faster than that.

[@rudder727]

The theory is the helicopter pilots thought the traffic alert was for another plane taking off at the same time. They probably thought that was the one the controller was talking about. But the controller described the traffic as being on final which is a different location than takeoff. Plus the jet should have had its traffic collision warning system go off unless the helicopter had their transponder turned off.

[@marky4x429]

I can feel the dodge, deny and lie machinery spool up at the pentagon, particularly under its new defence secretary.

[@jaymebowman799]

Could this be a result from the email that thousands of Federal/ Civil service employees received "Fork in the Road" basically telling them they have a choice to voluntary resign and they will be paid until September or else???? Did we have air traffic controllers decide to take them up on their offer? I'm afraid more types of things are going to happen.

[@jenniferorvis4205]

It appears that the helicopter hit the plane. 😮

[@christineStill-v3l]

Are we sure Trump hasn’t fired ATC or the fire/rescue personnel?😢

[@bjc8248]

Not now please

[@ItisOKtobewhite]

We are sure a DEI hire caused this crash . Twerking was involved.

[@kekennedy]

​@@ItisOKtobewhite take your medicine and get back in bed

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

I seriously think it’s the result of something studio that trump has done and he’s scrambling to cover it up right now…

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

@@ItisOKtobewhitethis was trump military with drunk Pete hegseth at the secretary of defense wheel.

[@chriswehner7172]

Dear God in Heaven, be with the crash victims and their families from this commercial flight with passengers and a black hawk helicopter. They're in the Potomac River. Please help them with your healing hand and Watchful eyes from each person. Amen. Maybe the Coast guard can assist.

[@Zero_Set]

HE was.

[@christieo2463]

Amen.

[@marky4x429]

God? He wasn’t with them before the crash to avoid it.

[@andrewstevenson118]

Amen.

[@colleenobrien6303]

🙏 🙏 🙏

[@rebeccamouse9294]

Second time in my life a commercial aircraft down in the Potomac. 😢

[@mariarivera4197]

Mine too. I remember that and there were survivors then. We can only hope for the same tonight.

[@Arod62]

Just flew out of DC last week, absolutely terrifying. I hope there are survivors.

[@charlescraycraft9972]

Prayers going out to victims in this incident.

[@robertdidomenico5570]

Trump will blame Biden

[@Gabedudley1]

Like dems have been doing trump for over 10 years? I dont think so. 😂😂

[@avoxyisbetterthanyou]

@@Gabedudley1cope

[@chuckfinley4757]

MSNBC and CNN already blamed Trump.

[@IIRealize]

🥈

[@petekaiser8856]

@@Gabedudley1 You don't pay much attention do you?

[@Bobzt2]

In this day and age, and after all the plane crashes - ESPECIALLY mid air collisions, this is absolutely insane.

[@johnc3525]

Expect worse in Trump's America.

[@paulkeller6075]

Oh my God! Release the funds so our country works!

[@johndresch6438]

Someone please get Pete Hegseth on camera. Hope he’s SOBER!🇺🇸💙

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

Why? Was Nancy Pelosi there?

[@michellejerome3603]

Taking jabs during something awful...classic mental behavior from you harris lovers

[@e2320483]

I voted blue and your comment is just ignorant. Grow up.

[@blackcat-sv5rj]

​@@e2320483prefer him not to be sober?

[@superbwater78]

Reuters reported there were 3 soldiers on board the helicopter

[@get2dachoppa249]

Pilot, co-pilot, & crew chief, standard crew compliment. Did that job for 12 years while I was in uniform.

[@reason6835]

I heard the helo took off from Langley. Possibly had VIP’s on board.

[@jenniferorvis4205]

Thank you for your service​@@get2dachoppa249

[@Oshiiiiiiiiiiii]

Was Prigozhin one of them?

[@MohammadGaylord]

@@get2dachoppa249 Sources close to the case are saying the pilot was a USAF officer who was being discharged for "unspecified reasons". (trans) and this was self unaliving.

[@alandowney6961]

I'm guessing no survivors. After impact, you can see they fall straight into the water, and at landing speed, they're going about 150 mph. So sad.

[@andrewstevenson118]

I fear you are right. Maybe a few, but likely none.

[@terryoquinn8199]

I’m praying for survivors , may God help them !

[@emma_t_s]

You never know. Give it time.

[@weaponsofwarfare9537]

​@@emma_t_sIt's reality

[@shonteshonte1907]

Looks like it flew directly into the plane. Hope this wasn't intentional!

[@avoxyisbetterthanyou]

I dont think it was, plane moving far to fast even on landing takeoff for the heli pilot to see it and try and hit it

[@TTvchannel11]

💯

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

Oh..... how tragic. Im so sorry for all those affected. Seriously tragic.

[@thehumanitarianst7614]

What were the people in the tower doing? Oh, there may have not been anyone up there due to trump freezing federal funding without giving anyone notice. I hope everyone is ok. 😢😢

[@MaryBarlow-f2g]

There was no one there. They work from home. It's why trump wants them to return to the office.

[@bettireagan]

⁠whatt????@MaryBarlow-f2g

[@Cheesey_enthusiast]

Wrong. He fired the directors already.

[@ajreyes9742]

Looks like the helicopter hit the regional jet from behind

[@ninapage8498]

First day of Secretary of defense... I can see how this is going to go

[@MrGruffteddybear]

Trump's government must be blamed for this.

[@sandrajohnson7702]

Why?

[@neilkurzman4907]

@@sandrajohnson7702 Because he’s the head of the military

[@MrGruffteddybear]

@sandrajohnson7702 Because they are in charge and responsible for everything. Just like Biden was blamed for everything by the right when he was President. Along with Mayor Pete and many others.

[@sandrajohnson7702]

@@neilkurzman4907 Even if he had nothing to do with it? Why not blame the operator who performed the act?

[@neilkurzman4907]

@ I don’t know why don’t you ask the Republicans since they’ve been doing it for four years. In fact, Trump’s campaign pledges were Biden’s doing this wrong and I’m going to do it better. The Republicans seem to think if it’s good they did it. If it’s bad, just blame it on the Democrats. You’ve been doing it for four years. Get used to it until we get bored.

[@pearl_kill_Gaming]

Who was it that gutted all those regulations.. anyone.. anyone bueller? Gut train regulations get train crashes Gut vehicle regulations get vehicles crashes Gut airspace regulations get airspace crashes.

[@kathyperry5787]

The chopper is moving very quickly and looks like it’s on a b- line heading towards the plane.

[@rossmilligan5873]

Sad, God Bless them all.

[@MichaelVileleagueofintrigue]

yours so-called prayers ONLY make YOU "feel" good.

[@anthonypanneton923]

Reagan National airport is practically IN the Potomac River. runway takeoffs and approaches in either direction are right over the water.