Quotes
Earlier this evening, we were devastated to learn of a tragic aviation incident near DCA. Our prayers are with everyone affected. Our fire, police, and emergency personnel are assisting in the regional response. We will provide more information as it becomes available."
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy."
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation,
The helicopter pilot responded ... just moments before the crash You're also increasing a safety risk because when you have one plane taking off or landing every minute, while other planes are circling, especially in very constricted air space, like DCS airspace, you run the risk of serious challenge."
Unbelievable. This is a U.S. congresswoman spreading a debunked conspiracy. There was no hiring freeze for ATC, and even if there had been, none of the controllers working the most senior airspace in the system would have been hired eight days ago."
Bonchie, an online pseudonym for a writer at the conservative news site RedState, replied to Torres This is why who you vote for matters. Just a week ago, Trump put a freeze on the hiring of air traffic controllers."
Film director Princella D. Smith posted on X, formerly Twitter Praying for the families and demanding answers."
Democratic California Representative Norma Torres shared the joint statement following the collision on social media, adding Hiring air traffic controllers is the number one safety issue according to the entire aviation industry. Instead of working to improve aviation safety and lower costs for hardworking American families, the administration is choosing to spread bogus DEI claims to justify this decision. I'm not surprised by the president's dangerous and divisive actions, but the administration must reverse course."
Washington Representative Rick Larsen said in a January 22 statement Our top priority must be the safety of the flying public, so an order freezing the hiring of air traffic controllers is a misguided decision and goes against the directives of our FAA Reauthorization bill. The aviation community will speak with one voice in condemning this shortsighted policy and reaffirm our commitment to hiring the critical personnel necessary for ensuring public safety."
Tennessee Representative Steve Cohen, in a January 22 statement PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.”
The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later When one person dies it’s a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die it’s an unbearable sorrow.”
Roger Marshall of Kansas said We are going to recover our fellow citizens,
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a somber news conference at the airport in which she declined to say how many bodies had been recovered It’s a highly complex operation,
said D.C. fire chief John Donnelly We’re all extremely concerned about the accident at Reagan National Airport, ... As we wait for more details, my thoughts are with those on board, their loved ones, and the first responders right now."
It’s very tight airspace,
Alan Diehl told NBC's "Early Today". We're aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available."
Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, emergency personnel at Reagan National Airport initiated their response to a crash between a passenger aircraft, identified by the FAA as American Eagle flight 5342, and a Sikorsky helicopter. Mutual aid from neighboring agencies were called to assist, and takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted for the remainder of the evening."
On X, the Ronald Reagan National Airport posted Here is the relevant audio from the DCA tower. Starts with controller asking the helicopter (PAT-25) if it has the CRJ in sight, and instructs it to pass behind the plane. Then you hear controllers responding to the collision in the background, then instructions to other planes."
We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,
These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,
U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement
