Donald Trump has said "Americans' hearts are shattered" while holding a press conference following the tragic air crash involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter. Speaking from the White House, the US president, who took office 10 days ago, said the nation is in mourning. He said a massive "search and rescue operation" has been under way but it has now switched to a recovery mission. He added: "Sadly there are no survivors. As one nation we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly.".
Trump said the tragedy has "really shaken a lot of people," including those from other countries whose citizens were on board the plane. He then offered his and Melania Trump's condolences to the families of the victims. "We do not know what led to this crash but we have some very strong opinions and ideas," Trump said, pledging to make sure nothing else similar happens again. The US president said it's still not clear what led to the collision, but the US military and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. "We'll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he said.
As searches for the victims continue, Trump said: "We are one family and today we are all heartbroken." Trump said he was naming Chris Rocheleau, a 22-year Federal Aviation Administration veteran, to the post of acting commissioner. A full-time commissioner will require Senate confirmation. During the press conference, Trump also hit out at Barack Obama and Joe Biden for weakening regulations. He said: "I put safety first. Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first. They put politics at a level that nobody's ever seen." He added "their policy was horrible" before adding that when he came to office, he signed executive orders that "restored the highest standards of air traffic.".
Shortly after the crash last night, Trump wrote on Truth Social account that it "looks like it should have been prevented." He has been active on his account in the past hour, saying: "I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. "May god bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.".
All 64 people aboard the plane were feared dead in what was likely to be the worst US aviation disaster in almost a quarter century, officials said on Thursday. At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the jet late on Wednesday as it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, officials said. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.
"We don't believe there are any survivors," said John Donnelly, the fire chief in the nation's capital. "We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.". The plane was found upside-down in three sections in waist-deep water, and first responders were searching an area of the Potomac River as far south as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, roughly 3 miles (4.8m) south of the airport, Donnelly said. The helicopter wreckage was also found. If no one survived, the collision would be the deadliest US air crash since 2009.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, but officials said flight conditions were clear as the jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas, with US and Russian figure skaters and others aboard. It was preparing for a routine landing at the time of the collision. "On final approach into Reagan National, it collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach," American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said. "At this time, we don't know why the military aircraft came into the path of the ... aircraft.".
