A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter on Wednesday night shattered the United States’ impressive 16-year streak without a major plane crash. The incident marked the first fatal crash of a commercial US airplane since 2009.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the investigation is still in its early stages. The collision resulted in the loss of 67 lives – 64 passengers and crew members on the commercial aircraft and three crew members on the military helicopter.
According to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the crash was “absolutely” preventable. Duffy stated that the skies were clear, and the final runway approach of Flight 5342, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, was standard.
President Donald Trump described the collision as a “tragedy of terrible proportions.” However, his claims that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives were to blame for the crash were met with skepticism. When pressed for evidence, Trump said that “we don’t know” what caused the crash and added that they’re still investigating.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has vowed not to speculate on possible causes until the information collected is verified. The NTSB aims to complete a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days.The US air travel system has been under increasing stress in recent years, with a shortage of air traffic controllers and congestion in major metropolitan areas, particularly around Washington DC. These factors contribute to a riskier flying environment than the 16 crash-free years might suggest.
Source: https://www.lindaikejisblog.com
