D.C. plane crash with Army helicopter raises concerns, investigation launched

A tragic midair collision occurred between an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport, resulting in no survivors among the 64 individuals onboard. The incident has sparked conspiracy theories about the circumstances leading to the crash, particularly regarding air traffic control communications. Aviation experts suggest that a critical safety system, the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), may not have been operational on the commercial flight at the time of the accident. Retired NTSB Managing Director Peter Goelz emphasized the importance of air traffic controllers and pilots in ensuring safe landings, as the TCAS system typically shuts down below 1,000 feet. American Airlines CEO indicated that the helicopter entered the plane's landing path, prompting investigations into the crash's causes. President Trump criticized the handling of the situation, questioning why the helicopter did not take evasive actions during the clear night conditions.