NSA Waltz delivers update on DC plane crash
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to provide an update on the American Airlines plane collision near D.C. and the Trump administration’s response.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly announced in a press conference on Thursday that following a commercial airplane’s collision with a military helicopter, nearly 30 bodies had been recovered so far. Donnelly added that authorities do not believe there are any survivors from the crash.
“We have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter,” he added. “Despite all these efforts, we are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.”
“The district office of the medical examiner has the lead on reuniting these bodies and these people, with their loved ones,” Donnelly continued. “And we will continue to work to find all the bodies and collect them. and reunite them with their loved ones.”
Flight paths taken by American Airlines Flight 5342 and the military helicopter. (Fox News)
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Speaking at the same press conference, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser thanked first responders for working throughout the night in the “very frigid” river to recover bodies and search for survivors. Bowser expressed sorrow “for American Airlines, the US DOD, and for all Americans for the loss of life that happened with the collision of these [aircraft].”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was sworn-in hours before the collision, vowed to get answers on behalf of the collision victims’ families and the American people. Duffy noted that the collision occurred on a clear night and that both the airplane and helicopter were in “standard” patterns.
“Safety is our expectation. Everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely, that when you depart an airport, you get to your destination. That didn’t happen last night,” Duffy said.
Duffy said that from what he had seen so far, he believed that the collision was “absolutely” preventable.
Emergency personnel work at the site of the crash after a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle flight 5342 approaching Reagan Washington National Airport collided and crashed in the Potomac River, outside Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2025.
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American Airlines CEO Robert Eisen called the collision “devastating,” saying that “we are all hurting incredibly.” He urged families concerned about loved ones to call 1-800-679-8215.
Eisen said it was still unknown why the military aircraft “came into the path” of the commercial aircraft, which was on a “normal approach” when the collision occurred. He added that the pilots were experienced, noting that the captain had almost six years of experience with PSA and the first officer had almost two years of experience.
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This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
