Trump Says Black Hawk Was Flying Too High Before DC Midair Crash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump stated Friday that the Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the midair collision near Reagan National Airport was flying above its altitude limit, contributing to the crash that killed 67 people. The claim comes as investigators continue probing the cause of the disaster, with the Army urging patience before drawing conclusions. The FAA has since restricted helicopter flights near Washington, and the Army unit responsible for the helicopter has been placed on a 48-hour operational pause. The Black Hawk’s flight recorder has yet to be recovered, but officials believe they know its location.
Washington Midair Collision: Quick Look
- Trump claims the Black Hawk was flying too high, violating the 200-foot altitude limit.
- Army urges caution, saying the investigation is still ongoing.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledges altitude concerns but says it’s still inconclusive.
- The helicopter’s flight recorder is missing, but investigators believe they can recover it.
- FAA indefinitely restricts helicopter flights near Reagan National Airport.
- Army suspends flights of the 12th Aviation Battalion, which regularly transports U.S. officials.
Trump Says Black Hawk Was Flying Too High Before DC Midair Crash
Black Hawk Altitude Debate: A Deep Look
Trump Claims Helicopter Was Flying Too High
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump directly blamed the Black Hawk’s altitude for the crash, stating:
“The Blackhawk helicopter was flying too high, by a lot. It was far above the 200-foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???”
Army and Investigators Call for Patience
- The U.S. Army has not responded to Trump’s claims but previously described the crew as highly experienced.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged altitude may have played a role but emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.
- An Army official urged the public to wait for confirmed findings, rather than draw conclusions based on speculation.
Helicopter and Crew Details
- The UH-60 Black Hawk belonged to the 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
- The crew included:
- Instructor pilot (1,000 flight hours).
- Co-pilot (500 flight hours).
- Crew chief (responsible for in-flight operations).
FAA and Army Respond with Safety Measures
- FAA indefinitely restricted most helicopter flights in the Washington, D.C. area following the crash.
- The Army placed the 12th Aviation Battalion on a 48-hour operational pause, with Hegseth suggesting an extension until more details emerge.
Flight Recorder Still Missing, But Expected to Be Found
- Todd Inman of the NTSB confirmed the Black Hawk had a flight recorder on board.
- While the recorder has not yet been recovered, investigators believe they know its location and expect to retrieve it soon.
As officials continue their probe, the collision remains the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001, reigniting concerns over Washington’s congested airspace.
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