Tragedy strikes Reagan National Airport as families seek answers & Trump pushes false DEI narratives
A U.S. Army helicopter and a commercial plane collided mid-air over Reagan National Airport in Virginia, killing all 67 onboard in the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in nearly two decades.
Tragedy struck the United States on Wednesday, Jan. 31 when a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers, collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 over Reagan National Airport in Virginia, with 60 passengers and four crew members onboard. Both aircrafts plunged into the Potomac River, leaving no survivors, per officials.
This marks the deadliest commercial airline crash in the U.S. in nearly two decades with the last major incident occurring in 2009 when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed while attempting to land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, killing all 49 people onboard and one person on the ground.
What we know so far
Only one air traffic controller was working at the time of the crash when there are typically two. The second controller had reportedly asked their manager for permission to leave early. While it's standard for one controller to manage a runway, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledges it is not "optimal."
Recovery crews have found 40 bodies so far, but all 67 victims won’t be accounted for until officials retrieve the remaining wreckage, which has yet to be fully recovered.
Both aircraft’s black boxes—flight data and cockpit voice recorders—have been located.
The Black Hawk helicopter was departing from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on a routine training exercise, while the American Airlines flight was en route from Wichita, Kansas, preparing to land.
The Victims
Although the official passenger list has not been released, grieving families and friends have already begun sharing the identities and stories of their loved ones with the world. The victims came from all walks of life—an accomplished team of figure skaters, a civil rights attorney, dedicated flight attendants "living their dreams," three soldiers, and so many more. Their loss has left an immense void in their local communities, which ranged from all over the U.S. and the world.
“She gave a lot, but she had so much more to give,” Hamaad Raza told WFIU/WTIU News about his 26-year-old wife Asra Hussain-Raza who died in the crash. “But if there was ever someone who took advantage of their 26 years of life, it was her.
President Trump falsely blames the crash on DEI
As families demand answers, the FAA is investigating the cause of the crash, which could take months. However, as aviation officials urge patience, President Trump and his administration have already begun speculating with “strong opinions.” In fact, moments after leading a moment of silence at a White House press conference, President Trump falsely blamed the crash on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the aviation industry and the Biden administration—without offering evidence to support his claims.
"It could have been [DEI]. There are things where you have to go by brain power and psychological quality. These are very powerful tests you have to use and Biden terminated them and went by a standard that's the exact opposite. We want the brightest, smartest, sharpest, and psychologically superior,” said President Trump.
Despite President Trump’s claims about DEI, the aviation industry remains overwhelmingly white and male-dominated as roughly 15% of pilots and engineers are people of color, and only 9% of aviation workers are women, according to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021.
More importantly, it is also an industry that is facing severe staffing shortages.
A 2023 New York Times analysis revealed that the FAA has been stretched thin for years, and a CBS News report found that 90% of federal air traffic control towers are understaffed. To compensate, controllers are being forced to work longer hours, increasing fatigue and potentially the risk of errors.
Adding to this are President Trump’s attacks on federal programs, including the FAA, which critics online argue may have contributed to the current situation. These include;
Dismantling a key aviation safety committee.
Forcing the resignation of the head of the FAA.
Freezing the hiring of federal workers, including air traffic controllers.
Cutting DEI initiatives within the FAA.
Yet, as the investigation unfolds and political debates continue, families and loved ones are left in anguish, searching for answers and justice. A tragedy in more ways than one—where the voices of the victims are slowly drowned out by debates over race, metrics, and ideology instead of waiting for the truth.