President Donald Trump has blamed the helicopter pilot for the crash. (Image: Getty)
President Donald Trump has stated that the American Airlines midair crash with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday night could have been prevented.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump stated: “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.”
Trump added: “It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.”
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
American Airlines Flight 5342, a CRJ700 regional jet operated by PSA Airlines, was carrying 64 people when it crashed.
Rescue crews are working continually throughout the night in an effort to rescue bodies. (Image: Getty)
The Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk had three people on board.
Emergency responders, including U.S. Park Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police, and U.S. military helicopters, were searching the river late Wednesday.
D.C. Fire and EMS said on social media that fireboats were at the scene.
At least four survivors have been pulled from the water, according to NBC4.
Donald Trump blamed the helicopter pilots on social media. (Image: Getty)
The Federal Aviation Administration said the crash occurred around 9 p.m. as Flight 5342 was approaching Runway 33 at Reagan National after departing from Wichita, Kansas.
All takeoffs and landings at the airport have been halted as the investigation continues.
CNN has reported that there are no survivors as of 9:32 PST.