WASHINGTON — On Wednesday at 8:48 p.m., American Airlines flight 5342, which was en route from Wichita, Kansas, collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter during the passenger jet’s final approach to Reagan National Airport.
A U.S. Park Police helicopter circles the crash site, shining a spotlight into the debris. Multiple choppers were deployed within minutes of the incident. (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
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Dozens of ambulances line the DCA tarmac near a boat launch point. Rescue motorboats shuttle across the Potomac, routinely between this point and the crash site, but the ambulances remain stationary. (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
The icy Potomac River reflects the lights of ambulances, fire trucks and police vehicles stationed on the tarmac. The water is so cold, reported to be around 35ºF, that the rescue window is at most 90 minutes.(Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
The following morning, President Donald Trump closes his eyes after inviting reporters to share a moment of silence for the victims and their families. Twenty seconds later, he opens his eyes and, with a heavy breath, recaps last night’s event. “Sadly, there are no survivors,” Trump confirms to the nation within the first minute of his prepared speech. “On behalf of the first lady, myself and 340 Americans, our hearts are shattered alongside yours and our prayers are with you.” (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room lectern is adorned with the presidential seal. (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
Trump attributes last night’s incident to the government’s increased focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in hiring practices, asserting that his administration will have a higher standard of air traffic controllers based on “brain power” and “psychological quality.” “It doesn’t matter what they look like, how they speak, who they are,” Trump says. “It matters intellect, talent–– the word talent. You have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses. You can’t have regular people doing that job.” (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
Sean Duffy, the newly-confirmed Secretary of Transportation, dons a jacket patched with the Federal Aviation Administration’s logo and embroidered text reading “accident investigations.” “We will not accept passing the buck,” Duffy says. “We’re gonna take responsibility at the Department of Transportation and the FAA to make sure we have the reforms that have been dictated by Trump in place to make sure that these mistakes do not happen again” This incident occurs on the heel of a series of near encounters within the Washington D.C. airspace. There were at least eight near-midair collisions at Reagan National Airport in 2024, according to Federal Aviation Administration reports. (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
Trump’s new Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, awaits his turn to speak. He shares that the Black Hawk helicopter was on a routine “retraining” for night flying , and that there was an “elevation issue.” Hegseth later echoes Trump’s sentiments, proclaiming that “the era of DEI is gone at the Defense Department.” (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
Trump concludes the press briefing with a round of questions from reporters. Many probed into his baseless claims that DEI practices led to the aircraft incident –– others asked if it is safe for Americans to fly. The incident is still under investigation and no official cause has been determined. (Joshua Sukoff/MNS)
