- Lawmakers from Utah, including Sen. John Curtis and Gov. Spencer Cox, have posted about the crash.
- The FAA reports that staffing was not normal at the airport's air traffic control tower.
- This was the first major commercial aircraft collision in the U.S. in over a decade.
In the wake of the midair collision that occurred in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening that resulted in 67 deaths, multiple lawmakers and other prominent figures have made statements on the crash.
At approximately 9 p.m. ET Wednesday night, a passenger jet on arrival to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport collided midair with a military helicopter. The two aircraft collided above the Potomac River.
The plane, an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The Army helicopter was carrying three soldiers, per CBS.
On Thursday morning, it was reported that 27 bodies had been recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter. It is believed that there are no survivors.
This was the first major U.S. commercial airline crash in over a decade
According to CBS, February 2009 was the last time a major U.S. commercial air crash occurred. The incident occurred when a Continental Airlines flight out of Newark, New Jersey, crashed into a house on approach to the airport in Buffalo, New York. Forty-nine people died in the crash.
The last time American Airlines was involved in a major crash was in November 2001 when a plane crashed shortly after takeoff, and 265 people were killed. The plane was an Airbus 300 which was flying out of John F. Kennedy International Airport on its way to the Dominican Republic.
FAA says there were staffing issues at the tower
According to The New York Times, a report from the FAA shows that staffing at the air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport was “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic.”
The report said that a controller was working the job of two people. The controller who was in charge of helicopters in the airports vicinity, also had to instruct planes landing at and departing from the airport.
“This increases the workload for the air traffic controller and can complicate the job. One reason is that the controllers can use different radio frequencies to communicate with pilots flying planes and pilots flying helicopters. While the controller is communicating with pilots of the helicopter and the jet, the two sets of pilots may not be able to hear each other,” per The New York Times.
Not unlike many other air traffic control facilities across the country, according to the Times, the tower at Reagan airport has been understaffed for years.
The shortage is caused by tight budgets and years of employee turnover as well as other factors, and has led many controllers to have to work 10 hour days, six days a week.
Updates on the victims
An official list of the deceased has not yet been released. But it has been confirmed that 14 people who were returning from a national figure skating development camp in Kansas were on the plane, per ABC. This includes skaters, coaches and family members who were on board.
Among the passengers were Russian former figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed their deaths along with young skaters Jinna Han, 15, and Spencer Lane, 16. Both Han and Lane’s mothers Jin Han and Molly Lane were on board the plane as well, per The Washington Post.
Alexandr Kirsanov, a skating coach, has also been confirmed to be among the dead, per ABC.
Rep. Donald S. Beyer, D-Va., shared that he had not received a list of the passengers but it is believed that a number of the passengers were from the area.
The flight had four crew members, including two flight attendants, one pilot and a first officer, per The Washington Post.
White House issues memo to FAA ordering an aviation safety review
The White House has issued a memo to the Federal Aviation Administration, which orders the immediate review of the organization’s hiring decisions and safety protocols.
The review is focused on the last four years. The memo also orders certain corrective actions, including replacing “individuals who do not meet qualification standards.”
The memo echoes claims about diversity initiatives that President Donald Trump made in his press conference Thursday morning. It also references an executive ordered signed last week that alters hiring standards for U.S. aviation.
“This shocking event follows problematic and likely illegal decisions during the Obama and Biden Administrations that minimized merit and competence in the Federal Aviation Administration,” according to the memo.
Utah lawmakers react to the midair collision
Rep. Blake Moore R-Utah, shared on X that he was on a flight when he heard about the collision.
Rep. Burgess Owens also posted, saying, “Tragic news out of our nation’s capital. As we wait for more information on tonight’s crash at Washington Reagan Airport, please join me in praying for everyone involved, their loved ones, and first responders.”
Soon after the crash occurred Wednesday night, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox took to X to acknowledge the tragedy.
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson also made a statement on X in response to the statement from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.
Sen. Mike Lee posted on X after the crash, in response to a post from Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, saying, “Praying. Please join me.”
Sen. John Curtis R-Utah, said on X that he was heartbroken and expressed gratitude for the swift response of the first responders working the crash.
Reactions from the Olympics and figure skating communities
The IOC president, Thomas Bach shared a statement about the crash and offered sympathies to all those affected. He also recognized the olympians, other athletes and family members who were on board.
Team USA also made a statement on X to recognize those lost in the collision.
As previously reported by the Deseret News, four-time Olympic speedskater and leader of Utah’s upcoming Olympics, reached out to the leader of U.S. Figure Skating.
“On behalf of Utah 2034 and the State of Utah, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to you and your community. As you mourn and heal, pease know that we are family — unified through sport — and our thoughts and prayers are with you,” she said.
Lawmaker landed just minutes before the crash
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., posted on X sharing that he had landed at the Reagan airport just minutes before the collision occurred.
Statements from Kansas lawmakers
Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas, released a statement Thursday morning. “This is a sad day for Kansans and our nation, and this community steeped in aviation and manufacturing history, will feel the pain of this catastrophe for years to come,” he wrote on X.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly first posted on X, Wednesday night shortly after the collision occurred.
“I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport. I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available,” she wrote.
One Thursday morning Kelly released an official statement on X.
It also has been confirmed that House Speaker Mike Johnson R-La., has been briefed on the tragedy.
Contributing: Cami Mondeaux