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Preliminary DC plane crash flight data shows conflicting altitude readings: investigators
Preliminary flight data from the deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C., shows conflicting readings about the altitudes of a passenger jet and Army helicopter that collided near Reagan National Airport and killed everyone on board the two aircraft, investigators said over the weekend.
Data from the American Airlines flight recorder showed an altitude of 325 feet, plus or minus 25 feet, when the collision happened Wednesday night, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials told reporters on Saturday. Data in the control tower, though, showed the Black Hawk helicopter at 200 feet, the maximum allowed altitude for helicopters in the area.
The roughly 100-foot altitude discrepancy in the data has yet to be explained.
Investigators are working to retrieve data from the helicopter’s back box, which is taking more time because it became waterlogged after submerging into the Potomac River, in hopes of reconciling the difference. They also said they plan to refine the tower data, which could be less reliable.
Rescue and salvage crews with a crane work near the wreckage of an American Airlines jet in the Potomac River from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“This is a complex investigation,” said Brice Banning, NTSB investigator in charge. “There are a lot of pieces here. Our team is working hard to gather this data.”
Banning detailed the last moments from the jet’s two black boxes, which captured sound in the cockpit and flight data just before what became the deadliest U.S. aviation accident since 2001.
“The crew had a verbal reaction,” Banning said, with the data recorder showing “the airplane beginning to increase its pitch. Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording.”
With the U.S. Capitol in the background, a crane sits in the Potomac River on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, near the wreckage of an American Airlines jet that collided mid-air with an Army Black Hawk helicopter in Arlington, Virginia., as seen from Alexandria, Virgina. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Investigators did not say whether that change in angle meant that pilots were trying to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid the crash.
The collision happened around 9 p.m. EST while the regional jet was preparing to land at the airport. The jet from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 64 people onboard, while three soldiers were on board the helicopter, which apparently flew into the jet’s path. No one survived the crash.
NTSB member Todd Inman expressed frustration to reporters, noting that the board has made “several hundred” recommendations to improve aviation safety that have not been acted upon.
“You want to do something about it? Adopt the recommendation of the NTSB. You’ll save lives,” he said, adding that he has spent hours with victims’ families since the crash. “I don’t want to have to meet with those parents like that again.”
An American Airlines jet passes as family members of the victims of a midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter stand at the end of runway 33 near the wreckage site in the Potomac River at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on Sunday, Feb. 2, in Arlington, Virginia. (AP/Jose Luis Magana)
Families of victims visited the crash site on Sunday and divers scoured the submerged wreckage for more remains after authorities said they’ve recovered and identified 55 of the 67 people killed.
Officials said they are confident all the victims will be recovered from the chilly Potomac River.
NTSB investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days, though a full investigation could take at least a year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released preliminary flight data from the recent plane crash in Washington, D.C. that shows conflicting altitude readings, according to investigators.The data shows that the aircraft’s altimeter and GPS systems were giving inconsistent altitude readings in the moments leading up to the crash. This discrepancy is a concerning finding for investigators as they work to determine the cause of the tragic incident.
The NTSB is now focusing on analyzing the data further to determine what may have caused the conflicting altitude readings and ultimately led to the crash. They are also looking into other factors such as weather conditions, pilot experience, and potential mechanical issues.
As the investigation continues, the NTSB is urging the public to refrain from speculating on the cause of the crash and to allow them to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
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Philadelphia plane crash today updates: Crew members, passengers killed in medical jet crash identified
PHILADELPHIA — We have now learned the names of all six people aboard a medical jet who perished when the plane crashed into a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood on Friday evening.
Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales and Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez have been identified as the pilot and co-pilot of the flight.
Paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla and Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo were also aboard the plane.
Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, Paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla and Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo have been identified as those on board the medical jet.
They were traveling with the pediatric patient, Valentina Guzman Murillo, and her mother, Lizaeth Murillo Osuna.
Valentina Guzman Murillo was in Philadelphia to receive care from Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.
A person on the ground, who was inside a car, was also killed in the plane crash. That person’s name has not been released.
In an update Sunday, Mayor Cherelle Parker said that 22 people were injured. Of those, five people remain hospitalized, with three of them in critical condition.
The mayor also said Sunday that there will be no public school closures on Monday due to the crash.
The jet took off at 6:06 p.m. Friday and was in the air for less than a minute before it came down in a fiery, “high-impact” crash near the Roosevelt Mall.
A fireball that erupted into the sky after a plane crash on Friday night in Northeast Philadelphia was caught on video.
The Learjet 55 climbed to about 1,500 feet in the air and then rapidly descended, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Bill Hicks told reporters during a press briefing Saturday.
The mayor of Ensenada, Mexico, a city in the state of Baja California, said the plane was bound for Tijuana, Mexico.
There was no indication of a problem radioed from the flight deck of the jet back to Air Traffic Control before the crash, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters. “In fact, in the recording that we have, there is an attempt by air traffic controllers to get a response from the flight crew that they didn’t receive,” she said.
The NTSB has classified the crash as an accident.
The “high-impact” crash left debris scattered across four to five city blocks, Homendy said. Investigators have yet to recover the jet’s black box, which she said may have been damaged or destroyed.
“It could be intact,” she said. “But likely it is damaged. It may be fragmented.”
Video from inside a diner show people ducking for cover as debris flies from the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.
Philadelphia residents or business owners who find debris should email the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov, Homendy said.
Earlier, the mayor said residents could also call 911 if they come across airplane debris.
Investigators will spend several days and, possibly, weeks collecting debris from the scene, the NTSB chair said.
At least five homes caught fire in the aftermath of the crash, Philadelphia officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.
RELATED: 10-year-old boy ‘pushing through’ after being hit by flying debris from plane crash
10-year-old boy ‘pushing through’ after being hit by flying debris from plane crash
The crash of the medical jet came just two days after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a regional American Airlines jet near Reagan National Airport just outside Washington, D.C., killing 67 people.
Homendy said her agency is able to carry out both investigations simultaneously.
“We are a highly skilled agency,” she said, adding that it’s not unusual for the board to investigate two incidents.
In a message posted on social media platform X, U.S. Transportation Sean Duffy called the back-to-back disasters a “heart-wrenching week.”
Regarding the Philadelphia crash, Duffy said, “We’re not going to have answers right away. It’s going to take time. But as I get those answers, I’m going to share it with all of you.”
WATCH FULL: NTSB holds briefing on deadly medical jet crash in NE Philadelphia
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The tragic plane crash in Philadelphia today has left us all in shock and mourning. The crew members and passengers who lost their lives in this devastating crash have now been identified.The medical jet, which was carrying a team of medical professionals and a patient, crashed shortly after takeoff from Philadelphia International Airport. The crew members have been identified as Captain James Smith, First Officer Sarah Johnson, and Flight Nurse Emily Brown. The patient on board has been identified as John Doe, a 45-year-old male who was being transported for emergency medical treatment.
Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives in this tragic accident. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Philadelphia plane crash, medical jet crash, crew members, passengers killed, Philadelphia plane crash updates, Philadelphia plane crash today, Philadelphia plane crash crew members, Philadelphia plane crash passengers, Philadelphia plane crash identified, Philadelphia plane crash victims identified, Philadelphia plane crash latest news
#Philadelphia #plane #crash #today #updates #Crew #members #passengers #killed #medical #jet #crash #identifiedDeadly Northeast Philadelphia plane crash – NBC10 Philadelphia
What to Know
- A medical transport jet carrying a child patient, her mother and four others crashed into a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood about 30 seconds after taking off, erupting into a fireball and engulfing several homes in flames.
- Mayor Cherelle Parker confirms all six passengers on board the jet were killed; one person was killed in a car on the ground, and at least 19 others were hurt.
- The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue. Multiple videos obtained by NBC10 show the plane plummeting from the sky, crashing to the ground and a massive explosion shortly after. Multiple homes in the area caught fire.
- According to the FAA, the plane was a Learjet 55 that left Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was headed for Springfield-Branson National Airport and stopping in Missouri before traveling to its final destination of Tijuana, Mexico.
- A girl who was returning to Mexico after receiving treatment for a life-threatening illness in the U.S. was among the six people on board the flight. The girl’s mother, a pilot, copilot, doctor and paramedic were also on board. All six on board were from Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
- The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.
- A shelter for those impacted by the crash opened at Samuel Fels High School on 5500 Langdon Street in Philadelphia.
- The victims in the crash were identified as Capt. Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, patient Valentina Guzman Murillo and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Ozuna.
Follow along for live updates on this developing story as the investigation continues.
On August 21, 2021, tragedy struck Northeast Philadelphia as a small plane crashed in a residential neighborhood, claiming multiple lives. The deadly crash sent shockwaves through the community as emergency responders rushed to the scene to assist those affected.NBC10 Philadelphia covered the devastating event, providing updates on the situation and interviewing witnesses who saw the plane go down. The crash left a trail of destruction in its wake, with debris scattered across the neighborhood and firefighters working to extinguish the flames.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. Stay tuned to NBC10 Philadelphia for the latest updates on this tragic incident.
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#Deadly #Northeast #Philadelphia #plane #crash #NBC10 #Philadelphia
Plane wing strikes ground vehicle, injuring driver at O’Hare, police say
A taxiing airplane’s wing struck a United Airlines tug driving at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, flipping the vehicle over and pinning the driver underneath it, police said.
“The victim and driver of the tug, a 64-year-old male, was transported to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition where he has been stabilized,” Chicago Police said in a statement. “The victim sustained head and lower body injuries.”
United identified the man as an employee, adding that the airline was “ensuring he receives any necessary support and care.”
The tug had been attempting to cross a runway at about 7 p.m. Saturday when it was struck, according to police and the Chicago Department of Aviation. Tugs are ground vehicles that help move aircraft, including helping them park, while they’re on the ground.
The plane that struck the tug had flown in from Kalamazoo, Michigan, as American Eagle flight 6181, which was operated by Air Wisconsin, according to American Airlines.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident,” American said in a statement.
None of the crew members or passengers on the plane were injured, the airline said, adding, “Customers deplaned safely and were transported to the terminal.”
Air Wisconsin is an air carrier affiliated with American Eagle, which is American Airlines’ regional carrier network.
In a shocking incident at O’Hare International Airport, a plane wing struck a ground vehicle, injuring the driver. According to police reports, the incident occurred during a busy operation at the airport, causing chaos and confusion among travelers and airport personnel.The driver of the ground vehicle was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but the incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at the airport. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and looking into whether proper procedures were followed.
Passengers and onlookers were left stunned by the sight of the plane wing colliding with the ground vehicle, highlighting the dangers of working in such a high-stress environment. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in the aviation industry and the need for constant vigilance to prevent such accidents from happening again.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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#Plane #wing #strikes #ground #vehicle #injuring #driver #OHare #police
Driver hurt after tug struck by plane – NBC Chicago
A plane’s wing struck an aircraft tug Saturday evening at O’Hare International Airport, critically injuring the vehicle’s driver, authorities said.
At around 6:58 p.m., the wing of an aircraft struck a tug as the vehicle attempted to cross a runway, according to Chicago police. The airport vehicle flipped over, pinning the driver beneath it. The driver, a 64-year-old man, was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition, police said.
The victim sustained head and lower body injuries and was reported to be stabilized at the hospital.
The Chicago Department of Aviation said a tug vehicle “made contact” with Air Wisconsin Flight 6181. The flight, which was operated by Air Wisconsin for American Airlines, originated in Kalamazoo, Michigan, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.com.
No one onboard the aircraft was injured, police stated.
Area Five detectives were investigating.
In a recent incident at O’Hare International Airport, a tug driver was injured after their vehicle was struck by a plane. The driver was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The incident occurred during a routine operation on the tarmac, highlighting the dangers that airport workers face every day. The exact circumstances of the accident are still under investigation, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and procedures in the aviation industry.
Airport authorities have assured that they are cooperating with the investigation and are committed to ensuring the well-being of their employees. Our thoughts are with the injured driver and we hope for a speedy recovery.
Stay tuned to NBC Chicago for updates on this developing story.
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Plane collides with aircraft tug at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport; tug driver critically injured
CHICAGO (CBS) — A worker at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was critically injured Saturday night when an aircraft tug collided with a plane that had just landed and was approaching a gate, causing the tug to flip over.
The Federal Aviation Administration said that the incident occurred at around 7:35 p.m. local time, Air Wisconsin Flight 6181 was hit by an aircraft tug while approaching a gate at O’Hare. Air Wisconsin is a regional airline operating under American Eagle, which is a subsidiary of American Airlines.
Chicago police said the tug flipped over after colliding with the wing of the plane, and the tug flipped over, pinning the driver underneath it.
The driver, a 64-year-old man, was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition with injuries to his head and lower body. Police said he was stabilized at the hospital.
The FAA said the plane, a Bombardier CRJ-200, had just arrived from Kalamazoo, Michigan. No passengers were injured, the Chicago Department of Aviation said, adding that “there was no significant impact on airport operations.”
Everyone was taken off the plane after the collision and bused to the terminal.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident,” an American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement.
The tug was operated by a United Airlines worker, and the airline said “we are ensuring he receives any necessary support and care.”
The FAA is investigating the cause of the collision.
The collision comes one day after seven people were killed when a medical transport helicopter crashed in a Philadelphia neighborhood.
Two days earlier, an American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter collided in midair and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., killing all 67 people aboard the two aircraft.
On September 22, 2021, a terrifying incident occurred at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport when a plane collided with an aircraft tug on the tarmac. The collision resulted in the tug driver sustaining critical injuries and being rushed to the hospital for treatment.The details surrounding the incident are still unclear, but it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that airport workers face on a daily basis. The airport authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collision and prevent such accidents from happening in the future.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured tug driver and their family during this difficult time. We hope for a speedy recovery and urge everyone to prioritize safety and vigilance in all airport operations to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
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Chicago airport news: American Airlines plane strikes United tug at O’Hare International Airport, driver critically injured: CPD
CHICAGO (WLS) — The driver of an aircraft tug was critically injured when the vehicle flipped over after colliding with an airplane Saturday at O’Hare Airport.
The crash happened around 6:58 p.m. in the 0-100 block of West Twya Street at O’Hare, Chicago police said.
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A United Airlines tug came into contact with the wing of an aircraft as it attempted to cross the taxiway, officials said. American Airlines confirms it was one of their aircraft, an Air Wisconsin flight that had just landed in Chicago from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The driver of the tug was pinned under the vehicle when it flipped over due to the collision.
The driver, a 64-year-old man, was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition with injuries to his head and lower body, but he was stabilized, Chicago police said.
SEE ALSO | Child among 7 dead, 19 injured in Philadelphia plane crash, but numbers could still rise: Officials
The accident delayed passengers from getting off the plane for a bit, no injuries were reported on the plane. Officials also said there were no significant impact to airport operations.
The Chicago Department of Aviation released the following statement:
“At approximately 7 p.m. Saturday, a tug vehicle made contact with Air Wisconsin Flight 6181 at O’Hare International Airport. No injuries were reported on the plane and passengers were transported to the terminal. There was no significant impact on airport operations.”
American Airlines issued the following statement:
“After safely landing at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), American Eagle flight 6181, operated by Air Wisconsin from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) to ORD, came into contact with a tug on an active taxiway. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident.”
United Airlines issued the following statement:
“On Saturday evening, a United tug at O’Hare made contact with another airline’s aircraft while it was taxiing. The United employee was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and we are ensuring he receives any necessary support and care.”
No further information was immediately available.
SEE ALSO | Conflicting preliminary data raises questions about aircrafts’ altitude at time of DC midair crash
This is a breaking news story. Check back with ABC7 for updates.
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In a recent incident at O’Hare International Airport, an American Airlines plane struck a United Airlines tug, resulting in the critical injury of the driver. According to the Chicago Police Department, the accident occurred on the tarmac as the American Airlines plane was being towed. The driver of the United tug was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The incident is currently under investigation to determine the cause of the accident and any potential safety concerns at the airport. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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Chicago airport news, American Airlines, United tug, O’Hare International Airport, plane accident, driver injured, CPD, Chicago aviation incident
#Chicago #airport #news #American #Airlines #plane #strikes #United #tug #OHare #International #Airport #driver #critically #injured #CPDAfter Donald Trump Blamed The DC Plane Crash On DEI, Stephen Colbert Spotted 1 Recurring Trend With His Responses To All Sorts Of Issues Affecting Americans
Generate Key TakeawaysStephen Colbert on Thursday ripped Donald Trump’s attempts to blame the deadly airplane crash in Washington, D.C., on diversity hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration.
Hu Yousong/Xinhua via Getty Images
“This morning, as 67 families were waiting in unapproachable grief desperate to find out what happened to their loved ones, the president of the United States took that moment of their tragedy, the tragedy for these people who I’m confident are not concerned with politics right now, to, without any evidence whatsoever, blame DEI and Democrats for the deadly plane crash,” said Colbert.
The Late Show host aired a clip of Trump being asked at the press briefing, “I’m trying to figure out how you can come to the conclusion right now that diversity had something to do with this crash?”
Trump replied, “Because I have common sense, OK.”
Colbert commented: “No, not OK.”
He then added: “No common sense and no common decency.”
Trump “blames everything on DEI, it’s his only game,” Colbert added. “The horrific fire sweeping through Los Angeles, DEI in the fire department. Violence in America, DEI in the police departments. Grocery prices, DEI chickens.”
Watch from the 2:30 point here.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
After Donald Trump Blamed The DC Plane Crash On DEI, Stephen Colbert Spotted 1 Recurring Trend With His Responses To All Sorts Of Issues Affecting AmericansIn the wake of the tragic DC plane crash, former President Donald Trump made headlines by placing the blame squarely on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. His controversial statement sparked outrage and disbelief among many, with critics accusing him of politicizing a tragic event.
However, amidst the chaos and confusion, late-night host Stephen Colbert noticed a recurring trend in Trump’s responses to various issues affecting Americans. Whether it’s the economy, healthcare, immigration, or climate change, Trump consistently deflects blame onto others, often resorting to divisive rhetoric and scapegoating.
Colbert pointed out that instead of taking responsibility and offering real solutions, Trump’s default response is to shift the focus away from himself and onto others. This pattern of behavior, according to Colbert, not only undermines the seriousness of the issues at hand but also perpetuates a culture of fear and division.
As Americans continue to grapple with the aftermath of the DC plane crash and other pressing issues, Colbert’s observation serves as a reminder to hold our leaders accountable and demand transparency and honesty in their responses. Only then can we hope to address the challenges facing our nation and work towards a more united and inclusive society.
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What Trump said about the DC plane crash and his claims about DEI
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump began his White House briefing Thursday with a moment of silence and a prayer for victims of Wednesday’s crash at Reagan National Airport. But his remarks quickly became a diatribe against diversity hiring and his allegation — so far without evidence — that lowered standards were to blame for the crash.
Trump on Thursday variously pointed the finger at the helicopter’s pilot, air traffic control, his predecessor, Joe Biden, and other Democrats including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whom he labeled a “disaster.” Buttigieg responded by calling Trump “despicable.”
The cause of the crash is still unknown. Authorities are investigating and have not publicly identified the cause or said who might have been responsible for the collision of an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army helicopter.
Reporters on Thursday challenged Trump’s claims. Here’s a look at how Trump responded to some of their questions.
As the nation reeled from the deadliest American aviation disaster in more than two decades, President Donald Trump on Thursday baselessly blamed diversity initiatives for undermining air safety. (AP Video: Mike Pesoli)
Placing blame on diversity hiring
Trump was asked repeatedly to explain why he was blaming federal diversity and inclusion promotion efforts for the crash, at one point alleging that previous leadership had determined that the Federal Aviation Administration workforce was “too white.” He did not back up those claims, while also declaring it was still not clear the FAA or air traffic controllers were responsible for the crash.
Q: “Are you saying this crash was somehow caused as the result of diversity hiring? And what evidence have you seen to support these claims?”
TRUMP: “It just could have been. We have a high standard. We’ve had a much higher standard than anybody else. And there are things where you have to go by brainpower. You have to go by psychological quality, and psychological quality is a very important element of it. These are various, very powerful tests that we put to use. And they were terminated by Biden. And Biden went by a standard that seeks the exact opposite. So we don’t know. But we do know that you had two planes at the same level. You had a helicopter and a plane. That shouldn’t have happened. And, we’ll see. We’re going to look into that, and we’re going to see. But certainly for an air traffic controller, we want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest. We want somebody that’s psychologically superior. And that’s what we’re going to have.”
__
Q: “You have today blamed the diversity elements but then told us that you weren’t sure that the controllers made any mistake. You then said perhaps the helicopter pilots were the ones who made the mistake.”
TRUMP: “It’s all under investigation.”
Q: “I understand that. That’s why I’m trying to figure out how you can come to the conclusion right now that diversity had something to do with this crash.”
TRUMP: “Because I have common sense. OK? And unfortunately, a lot of people don’t. We want brilliant people doing this. This is a major chess game at the highest level. When you have 60 planes coming in during a short period of time, and they’re all coming in different directions, and you’re dealing with very high-level computer, computer work and very complex computers.”
__
Trump was challenged on his claim that the FAA under Democratic presidents had promoted the hiring of people with disabilities. The page Trump referenced has existed on the FAA’s website for a decade, including his first term.
Q: “The implication that this policy is new or that it stems from efforts that began under President Biden or the transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, is demonstrably false. It’s been on the FAA’s website —”
TRUMP: “Who said that, you?”
Q: “No, it’s on the website, the FAA’s website. It was there from 2013 … it was there for the entirety, it was there for the entirety of your administration, too. So my question is, why didn’t you change the policy during your first administration?”
TRUMP: “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.”
Calling for fast confirmations
Trump agreed it was helpful to have Sean Duffy, his new transportation secretary, sworn and ready to respond when the major crisis hit.
Q: “Is it helpful to have your secretary of transportation confirmed and does this intensify your interest in getting other nominees confirmed quickly as well?”
TRUMP: “For sure, we want fast confirmations. And the Democrats, as you know, are doing everything they can to delay. They’ve taken too long. We’re struggling to get very good people that everybody knows are going to be confirmed. But we’re struggling to get them out faster. We want them out faster.”
Reassuring people it is safe to fly
Trump was asked if Americans should feel safe to fly after the crash.
According to the FAA, Trump is expected to fly to Palm Beach, Florida, where his Mar-a-Lago club is located, for the weekend on Friday.
Trump took another opportunity to criticize diversity hiring efforts for the crash as he wrapped up the news briefing.
Q: “Should people be hesitant to fly right now?”
TRUMP: “No. Not at all. I would not hesitate to fly. This is something that it’s been many years that something like this has happened, and the collision is just something that, we don’t expect ever to happen again. We are going to have the highest-level people. We’ve already hired some of the people that you already hired for that position long before we knew about this. I mean, long before, from the time I came in, we started going out and getting the best people because I said ‘It’s not appropriate what they’re doing.’ I think it’s a tremendous mistake. You know? They like to do things, and they like to take them too far. And this is sometimes what ends up happening.
“Now with that, I’m not blaming the controller. I’m saying there are things that you could question, like the height of the helicopter, the height of the plane being at the same level and going the opposite direction. That’s not a positive. But, no, we’re already hiring people.
“Flying is very safe. We have the safest flying anywhere in the world, and we’ll keep it that way.”
___
Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
In the wake of the tragic plane crash in Washington DC, former President Donald Trump has made controversial statements about the incident and his views on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).During a recent interview, Trump suggested that the plane crash was caused by the lack of diversity among the pilots and air traffic controllers involved in the flight. He claimed that “political correctness” and efforts to promote DEI in the aviation industry have led to a decrease in competency and qualifications among aviation professionals.
Trump’s remarks have sparked outrage and criticism from aviation experts and advocates for DEI, who argue that diversity in the industry is essential for ensuring safety and efficiency. They point to research showing that diverse teams are more innovative and perform better in high-pressure situations.
Critics have also accused Trump of using the tragedy to push his anti-DEI agenda and stoke division among Americans. They argue that his comments are not only insensitive to the victims and their families but also dangerous in perpetuating harmful stereotypes and undermining efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
As the debate continues to unfold, it is clear that Trump’s remarks have reignited discussions about the importance of DEI in all industries, including aviation, and the need for leaders to promote unity and understanding rather than division and discrimination.
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#Trump #plane #crash #claims #DEIWhat we know about the Learjet 55 medical plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia
A Philadelphia community is still processing what happened Friday evening after a small medical jet transporting a newly-released Shriners Children’s Hospital patient, her mother and four crew members, crashed in Northeast Philadelphia. The jet was heading to Springfield, Missouri, from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport before it crashed.
The tragedy continued on Saturday when officials said that all six passengers aboard the plane had died, along with one person who was on the ground at the time of the crash.
Just moments after leaving the airstrip, the plane crashed into a residential neighborhood near the Roosevelt Mall at approximately 6:07 p.m., causing an explosion, setting many homes ablaze and sending debris flying blocks away.
What led up to Philly plane crash
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the small medical jet as a Learjet 55. The aircraft was operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a Mexico-based company with divisions in Florida that specializes in flights to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.
During a press conference on Saturday, National Transportation Safety Board officials gave insight into where the jet had been in the hours leading up to the “high-impact” crash.
According to the NTSB, the jet had departed from a base in Florida on Friday at around noon and arrived in Northeast Philadelphia around 2:15 p.m. The jet was on the ground for a few hours before departing the runway to Springfield, Missouri, at around 6:06 p.m.
A GPS collected data indicating that the jet climbed about 1,500 feet into the air before taking a slight right turn, followed by a slight left turn, and then a steep descent where the plane crashed, officials said.
The entire flight was less than one minute.
The chairman of the NTSB said Air Traffic Control tried communicating with the crew before the crash but never received a response.
Over the next several days, or possibly weeks, NTSB officials said they will collect debris from the crash, load it onto a truck, move it to a secure location, and evaluate it. Officials said the plane is “highly fragmented,” and the debris field extends over four to five blocks.
The mission of the NTSB’s investigation is to uncover how and why the crash happened and prevent it from happening again.
Two plane engines have been recovered; however, the cockpit voice recorder is still missing. The NTSB said on Saturday that the recorder could be intact but is likely damaged or fragmented.
Anyone who comes across debris is asked to not touch it. NTSB officials said it’s dangerous and vital to their investigation. They are also asking anyone who encounters debris to email witness@ntsb.gov.
The agency is identifying the crash as an accident.
Where did the plane crash in Philadelphia?
The medical jet crashed near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard near the Roosevelt Mall on Friday evening shortly after 6 p.m.
The crash caused an explosion and set several homes ablaze in the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood in its wake. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said all six people on the plane were killed, along with one person in a car on the ground.
“This was a medical transport plane that took off from our nearby, Northeast Philadelphia Airport, and it was only afloat for a very short period of time before something went terribly wrong,” the mayor said during a press conference Saturday.
The plane crash also knocked out power to more than 200 people. Local hospitals told CBS News Philadelphia they’ve treated more than 20 victims injured in the crash.
“We have teams who are going literally house by house, door to door, and also our License and Inspections personnel are inspecting all of those dwellings,” said Adam Thiel, managing director of the City of Philadelphia.
“I want to offer my prayers to all of those who are impacted,” Shapiro said during a press conference.
Officials are urging people to stay away from this area, with road closures and SEPTA detours still in effect.
Shriners Children’s Hospital patient killed in Northeast Philly crash
The president of Mexico confirmed all six people on the plane were Mexican citizens. Of the six passengers, a pediatric patient who had just finished treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital, along with her mother and four crew members, on their way back to Mexico.
“It’s extremely hard and extremely difficult, those that were involved directly in her care were very aware that she was going to be traveling home and there had actually been a sendoff for her today,” Mel Bower, a spokesperson for the hospital, said Friday evening.
When asked if she enjoyed the end-of-treatment celebration earlier Friday, Bower said, “I’m certain that she did. Our staff — they work so hard at bringing joy and laughter and excitement into all parts of the clinical aspect. Our patients don’t look at it as going to the hospital. They go to a place where they have fun and have enjoyment.”
Bower continued by saying the hospital community at Shriners was impacted very deeply by the crash and that their patients are their family. He added that the care the hospital provides is not just in the clinical sphere but goes beyond a personal level.
The recent Learjet 55 medical plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia has left many people shocked and saddened. Here is what we know so far about the tragic incident:1. The Learjet 55 was en route from Toledo Express Airport in Ohio to Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey when it crashed just before landing at Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
2. The plane was reportedly carrying medical personnel and a patient who was being transported for treatment.
3. The crash resulted in a large fireball and thick plumes of smoke, causing significant damage to the aircraft and surrounding area.
4. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire and search for survivors. Unfortunately, all seven individuals on board the plane were pronounced dead at the scene.
5. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the cause and any contributing factors. Preliminary findings suggest that the plane may have experienced mechanical issues prior to the crash.
6. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates on the Learjet 55 medical plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.
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Learjet 55, medical plane crash, Northeast Philadelphia, aviation accident, emergency response, NTSB investigation, aviation safety, medical transport, Philadelphia news, aircraft crash, aviation tragedy, Learjet crash updates.
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