In Final Moment That Doomed DC Flight Was Directed to Change Course for Runway 33
A routine change of runways led to a tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and an Army Blackhawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. This incident resulted in teh deaths of 67 individuals, including passengers, crew members, and soldiers.Initially, the passenger flight was cleared to land on Runway 1 but was redirected to Runway 33 due to air traffic control decisions intended to maintain efficient airport operations. This decision is now under inquiry as it may have contributed to the crash, the deadliest aviation accident in the U.S. since 2001.
Political ramifications have ensued,including President Donald Trump’s remarks questioning whether the diversity,equity,and inclusion policies of previous administrations played a role in the crash. He had recently signed an executive order that halted DEI-focused hiring practices within the Federal Aviation Administration, amid a backdrop of political contention surrounding the tragedy. In response, some liberal media outlets faced backlash for attempting to link the disaster to Trump’s executive order, leading to a swift retraction of their comments.
It was a routine change of runways, but it spelled disaster for a passenger plane and an Army helicopter in the nation’s capital.
The New York Times reported Friday that Wednesday night’s mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport was preceded by air traffic controllers directing American Airlines Flight 5342 away from the airport’s main runway.
The collision that followed left 67 passengers, crew, and soldiers dead, according to the Associated Press.
According to the Times, the passenger plane was initially cleared to land at Runway 1, Reagan National’s main runway.
Instead, the plane was directed to Runway 33, an intersecting runway.
These are the last communications of the AAL5342 pilots with the main Air Traffic Control Tower at DCA, Reagan National Airport.
Originally, 5342 was slated to land at Runway 01, before being moved to Runway 33. The accident occurred just short of Runway 33. pic.twitter.com/8dX15YE7se
— Jess Fields (@jessalanfields) January 30, 2025
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AUDIO FROM DC PLANE CRASH.
1) Midair collision occurred 1/2 mile from start of runway 33.
2) AA regional jet and Blackhawk helicopter went down in Potomac.pic.twitter.com/d3wVF87fdI
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 30, 2025
It was not an unusual maneuver, according to sources cited by the Times.
“That decision, according to the person who was briefed on the event and two other people who are familiar with the airport’s air traffic, happens routinely when regional jets like the American Airlines aircraft are involved, and may have been made to help keep air traffic moving efficiently by not clogging the main runway,” the Times reported.
Still, it will no doubt figure in the investigation of the crash, which was the nation’s deadliest since 2001, according to the AP.
Meanwhile, political fallout from the collision continues.
President Donald Trump has raised questions about whether the “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies of the Obama and Biden administrations played a role in the tragedy.
Only a week before, among his first acts in office, Trump signed an executive order banning DEI-focused hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration.
Liberal media figures, on the other hand, caused a social media uproar by trying, unsuccessfully, to link the disaster to Trump’s order a week before, freezing the hiring of federal employees.
They quickly deleted the posts and, in some cases, apologized.
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