The horrific American Airlines crash at Reagan Airport, which claimed the lives of everyone on board, may have been preventable, according to the Transport Secretary.
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In a video compiled by the Daily Mail, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy weighs in on the disaster and claims that it was preventable. "To back up what the President said. From what I've seen so far, do I think this was preventable? Absolutely," Duffy said.
He continues, "If you live in the DC area, you would know that it was a clear night last night. The helicopter was in a 'standard pattern.' In the DC area, you will see helicopters up and down the river; this pattern is seen oftentimes in the DC area. This was the standard pattern last night as well."
The Transport Secretary explained that the American Airlines plane was also in a 'standard pattern' as it approached the airport, which isn't unusual either. He stresses, "You will frequently see those two aircraft working together" if you live in the area. "Whether it was air traffic control, whether it was the military aircraft helicopters or the American Airlines flight, everything was standard in the leadup to the crash."
The Transport Secretary Explains There 'Was Communication' Between The Aircraft
During the press conference, Sean Duffy explained, "I will say this: there was communication. I would say it was standard communication, so there wasn't a breakdown in communication between the military helicopter and the American Airlines flight." In response to a question." He added, "There was communication between the aircraft and the tower."
Duffy spoke more about the incident and flight safety: "Safety is our expectation. Everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely. When you depart from an airport, you get to your destination, and that didn't happen last night." He also stresses that "President Trump, his administration, the FAA, the DOT will not rest until we have answers for the families and the flying public."
The Chief of the District of Columbia Fire Department, John Donnelly, explained, "We don't think there are any survivors from this accident. Despite all these efforts, we are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation."
More than 300 first responders are searching the wreckage for survivors in the aftermath of the disaster.
