Trump says Army helicopter in DC plane crash was flying 'too high'
Share and Follow


(The Hill) — President Donald Trump on Friday asserted the military helicopter involved in a deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., was “flying too high.”

“The Blackhawk helicopter was flying too high, by a lot. It was far above the 200 foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???” Trump posted on Truth Social.

More than 60 people died after an American Airlines flight collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on its final approach to Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday night.

The New York Times reported Thursday that the helicopter was supposed to be flying lower to the ground at the time of the crash, citing four people briefed on the issue. The Times reported that the helicopter had asked permission to use a route that would have allowed it to fly no higher than 200 feet.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Pentagon are investigating the cause of the crash.

Since the collision took place on Wednesday night, Trump has vacillated between arguing the helicopter may have been at fault in the incident and claiming diversity efforts in hiring air traffic controllers may have played a role.

“The people in the helicopter should have seen where they were going,” Trump told reporters Thursday at the White House. “What was the helicopter doing in that track? Very sad. But visually, somebody should have been able to see and taken that helicopter out of play and the should have been at a different height.”

But Trump has also repeatedly suggested without evidence that efforts to hire diverse individuals, including those with disabilities, had weakened federal aviation safety.

“We want the most competent people, no matter what race they are. … If they don’t have a great brain, a great power of the brain, they’re not going to be very good at what they do,” he said.

The president also signed a memo Thursday to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in the aviation sector and to assess airline safety, as well as an executive order to appoint a new head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in the wake of the incident.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
'If you need us, call us': Fire officials urge chimney inspections to prevent holiday fires

Prevent Holiday Fires: Fire Officials Stress the Importance of Chimney Inspections

With the holiday season upon us and chimneys across the nation coming…
Make-A-Wish brings back annual Holiday Wish Line messages

Spread Joy: Make-A-Wish Revives Beloved Holiday Wish Line for Heartfelt Messages

The CEO of Make-A-Wish describes their hotline as a “powerful antidote” to…
Kevin Niemiec, Zachary Mascolo, Jon Clary II accused of sexually assaulting female classmate at Roselle St. Viator HS party

Three Roselle St. Viator High School Students Charged in Sexual Assault Case at Off-Campus Party

In Roselle, Illinois, three teenagers face accusations of sexually assaulting a fellow…
'Just blown away': Jacksonville family of nine overwhelmed by community support after house fire

Jacksonville Family of Nine Overcomes House Fire with Heartwarming Community Support

“It’s simply incredible what people can achieve with their kindness and the…
Pope Leo's first Christmas: Pontiff leads mass at St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Leo Celebrates First Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica: A Historic Moment for the Vatican

In a memorable celebration, Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural Christmas Mass…
Decaying iconic movie landmark gets a new $50million lease of life

Iconic Movie Landmark Revitalized with $50 Million Restoration Plan

A historic New York City icon that featured in the film Men…
FILE - President Donald Trump listens as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Pediatricians Take Legal Action Against HHS Over Cuts to Children’s Health Funding

In a significant legal move, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has…
The same Knicks issue is rearing its head once again

Unpacking the Knicks’ Recurring Struggles: Can They Overcome Their Persistent Challenges?

The Knicks are feeling the sting of early-season challenges. They’ve consistently struggled…