DC Crash: What to know about the mistakes made before the fatal collision

The reviews of the moments before the fatal clash in the air on Wednesday that involves an army helicopter and a passenger plane from American Airlines has revealed several failures and errors.

Under normal operating conditions, two operators handle air traffic control for helicopters and airplanes at the Reagan National Airport. However, on Wednesday, the duties were combined, leaving a single person to handle both duties, The New York Times reported.

The exit, citing a source that was not authorized to speak publicly, said that there is usually only an air traffic controller after 9:30 pm, but a supervisor left one left early. The air collision that left 67 dead It happened just before 9:00 pm local time.

However, a person familiar with the matter explained to Fox News Digital that the positions are regularly combined if air controllers have to get away from the console to rest, or if they are involved in a change of turn. Controllers can also have to move away when air traffic is slow, explained the person, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal procedures.

The personnel in the air control tower of Reagan Washington National Airport was “not normal” on the collision night: FAA

Multiple reports also indicate that the Black Hawk helicopter may have turned higher than it was supposed, placing it outside its approved flight route. The Times reported that Black Hawk deviated from the low -altitude flight route that would have allowed him to avoid the passenger plane. A senior army official told him at the exit that the Black Hawk pilots had flown the route before and that they were aware of the altitude restrictions.

President Donald Trump commented on reports in a real social publication on Friday.

“The Blackhawk helicopter was flying too high, by far. It was well above the 200 feet limit,” Trump wrote.

The Times, citing a report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said that air traffic control could have instructed the passenger plane pilots to pivot on another track while they approached the airport.

The National Transportation Security Board (NTSB) is leading an investigation into deadly collision. The NTSB member, Todd Inman, told Fox Business on Friday that the agency has made public “relevant facts” and is avoiding speculation in the midst of ongoing investigation.

On Friday morning, the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegesh, spoke with “Fox & Friends” about the fatal accident, calling him “completely unacceptable.” Hegseth emphasized that the black box of the Black Hawk helicopter, which has not yet recovered, will give the DOD crucial ideas about internal communications.

“We are looking at the altitude … Someone was at the wrong altitude. Research will help us understand that: was the black hawk too high? Was he in progress? We don’t know at this time,” Hegseth said.

Trump attacks Dei’s policies after DC plane crash, he says that FAA employees must keep the ‘highest standards’

Hegesh also requested the prioritization of merit over “background” in the midst of speculation that diversity, equity and inclusion policies (Dei) played a role in the accident. Some, including President TrumpThey have wondered if those who work in air traffic control had been hired according to Dei’s objectives, instead of professional qualifications.

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President Trump said Thursday that the deadly collision in the air was a “confluence of bad decisions that were made, and you have people who lost their lives, violently lost their lives.”

Greg Wehner and Gray Trimble contributed to this report.