Quotes
We came to know the news of the collision of a passenger plane with a military helicopter in the capital, Washington, and the resulting deaths,
the King and the Crown Prince said in cables of condolences sent separately to Trump FAA investigators are supporting the NTSB-led investigation of Wednesday night's midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport. The NTSB is leading the investigation and will provide all updates. We cannot comment on any aspect of open investigations. The FAA will quickly take any actions necessary based on evidence from the investigation."
The FAA said in a statement We are going to wait for all the information to come in from this vantage point, but … what I've seen so far, do I think this was preventable? Absolutely. Something went wrong here. I look forward to the time and point where we can give you that information, but I don't want to comment on that right now."
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said during Thursday press briefing on the collision While the bill contains many positive features, the Senate is poised to consider a provision that could impair safety and will significantly increase delay and inconvenience experienced by the nearly 25 million passengers who use Reagan National Airport (DCA) every year. The provision will overburden the already congested main runway at DCA and, as shown by a recent near-collision at the airport, increase the risk of a serious accident there."
Senators Mark R. Warner, Tim Kaine, Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen said in April 2024 statement God forbid waking up and looking in a mirror one day and saying, 'Wow, I was warned. I was warned, and I shouldn't have done this,'
In May, I was proud to be part of the effort to authorize more direct flights into Washington D.C. and open the door for a nonstop flight from San Antonio. American's proposed direct flight will make travel easier for thousands of military, business and leisure travelers and attract new jobs for our talented workforce."
Democratic Texas Representative Joaquin Castro said in July 2024 statement Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,
The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. 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,
What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!"
In another post, minutes later, he wrote There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time."
A joint statement between the DC police department and the DC fire department read We are extremely sorry for the families experiencing loss,
We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders,
the former South Dakota governor wrote My office is following the breaking and tragic news of a collision at @Reagan_Airport,
the lieutenant governor wrote Our prayers are with all families impacted by the tragic plane crash that just took place here in DC,
From the Department of Transportation and FAA perspective, we are going to offer full support to those on the ground – to the mayor but also to the NTSB, who is going to be conducting the investigation in this matter,
Duffy said at a press conference at Washington Reagan National Airport I think for all of us, we want to extend our thoughts and prayers to those individuals who are impacted by the events tonight,
We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,
he said during a Thursday morning news conference May God Bless their souls,
he said in the statement posted on X by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt We are going to provide all the support that's necessary,
We didn't really think much of it until we saw the fire trucks started going out to the tarmac and the police cars and boats. It was insane,
