Quotes
The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport,
Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best,
Yeah, we were on short final, and we saw flares from the opposite side of the Potomac.”
I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach end of 3-3. We are going to be shutting down operations indefinitely if you want to return to the gate. Highly suggest you coordinate with the company. Let me know what you want to do,
Following the collision, the tower notified another pilot of the situation, saying ... referring to runway 33. PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation.”
Shortly before the crash, additional audio reveals the helicopter pilot responding Apparently both aircraft involved are in the river, a search and rescue will be ongoing.”
An approach controller later added 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."
PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?”
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight Tower, did you see that?”
Seconds later, another pilot is heard calling after the apparent collision I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. 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,
PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ."
Then, the controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later I did change it. I changed the Obama policy, and we had a very good policy. And then Biden came in and he changed it. And then when I came in two days, three days ago, I signed a new order, bringing it to the highest level of intelligence
This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented,
