Following the tragic collision between an American Airlines aircraft and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX), Chair of the House Transportation Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee, is urging a congressional hearing. In a recent interview, Nehls stressed the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards in the aviation industry and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He intends to collaborate with Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves to arrange meetings with relevant parties and investigators, including potential closed-door sessions for frank discussions, culminating in a public hearing.
Nehls underscored the urgency of determining the cause of the accident and formulating recommendations to prevent future occurrences, stating his desire for swift action and a timeline shorter than 18 months. He echoed the NTSB’s aim for a preliminary report within 30 days and emphasized Congress's role in supporting the investigation. While expecting accountability, Nehls cautioned against premature speculation regarding blame, advocating for a thorough NTSB investigation before drawing conclusions.
Despite his call for patience, speculation about the cause of the crash has already emerged, with some attributing it to increased air traffic at Reagan National Airport and others pointing to diversity initiatives. Nehls dismissed these theories as premature, emphasizing the lack of supporting evidence. The crash involved a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three military personnel and a passenger plane en route from Wichita, Kansas, approaching Reagan National Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, with no survivors reported. Recovery efforts are ongoing. American Airlines confirmed 60 passengers and four crew members were on board the plane and provided contact information for concerned families.
