DC plane crash: Top GOP lawmaker demands congressional hearing
The deadly collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C. has prompted Rep. Troy Nehls, the top Republican on the House Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on aviation, to call for a congressional hearing into the incident. Nehls emphasized the need to maintain the gold standard of safety in the aviation industry and expressed his desire to work closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to ensure accurate and factual findings are reported.
Nehls commended Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves for his aviation background and indicated that he would be requesting meetings with all parties involved in the investigation. He suggested the possibility of closed-door meetings for more candid discussions, in addition to a public hearing to address the collision.
The NTSB has indicated that they aim to release a preliminary report within 30 days, a timeline that Nehls finds reasonable. However, he stressed the importance of Congress taking action to prevent similar incidents in the future. Nehls stated that President Trump expects Congress to uphold the highest standards of safety in the aviation industry.
Despite rampant speculation and finger-pointing surrounding the cause of the crash, Nehls urged caution and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the NTSB before drawing any conclusions. He dismissed early accusations regarding Congress authorizing new airline contracts or diversity initiatives as potential causes for the tragedy.
The collision occurred when a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three service members crashed into a passenger plane from Wichita, Kansas, as it was moments away from landing at Reagan National Airport. Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River, with no survivors reported. Recovery efforts are ongoing.
American Airlines confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the plane involved in the collision. The airline has provided contact information for loved ones seeking information about the incident.
Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, is leading the coverage of the House of Representatives in light of this tragic event. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
