It’s not every day that you witness an event unfold, knowing it will be recorded in history books. Living in the present, aware that the entire nation is sharing this unforgettable grief, is terrifying.
On Jan. 29, a Black Hawk helicopter tragically collided with an American Airlines jet, crashing into the frozen Potomac River. No survivors were found, 67 lives ended. Their families, friends and the entire nation are mourning their loss.
As I continued reading about the accident, I found the best explanation from a YouTuber and pilot known as “Captain Steeeve.” Though only a speculation, he suggested that the Black Hawk likely spotted a different plane and announced it was in sight but failed to see the airline, leading to the collision. Additionally, the Black Hawk was flying too high and air traffic control was understaffed that day, leaving one person handling a job meant for two. Many factors ultimately contributed to the crash.
While recovery efforts were still underway, President Trump was in the White House. When asked if he would visit the crash site, less than 15 miles away he made the snark remark, “The water? You want me to go swimming?” He also attempted to link the tragedy to DEI despite the fact that the crash had just happened and details were still emerging.
Adding to the concerns, there was no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at the time of the crash. The agency had been without a confirmed leader, though Trump had recently appointed Chris Rocheleau in the wake of the crash. The former chief, Bill Whitatker, quit on Jan. 20, after a long feud with Elon Musk’s handling of SpaceX.
This tragedy hit close to home for me. My dad travels almost every month for work and my mom is currently overseas. The thought of something like this happening again is terrifying. As more information comes out about the crash, we can only hope to understand exactly what went wrong. However, I believe the comments Trump made shows why I believe leaders need to be sympathetic as well as understanding of their power. As I watched him talk about the crash, it felt revised and insincere. His additional comments jumped to conclusions and it’s what causes more division in this country. It spreads false information, when he, as the head of the country, should be the peacemaker. Especially during hard times like this.
