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Trump Holds Press Conference on Midair Collision; Interview With Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD); 67 Believed Dead in Midair Collision. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired January 30, 2025 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[11:00:32]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: Good morning to you. You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Pamela Brown in Washington.

At any moment, President Trump is due to speak on the tragic midair collision over the Potomac River. No one is believed to have survived, according to officials.

It has been 14 hours since an Army Black Hawk helicopter apparently flew into the path of an American Airlines passenger plane. That's what officials are saying. These are live images of the icy river. Hundreds of first responders spent the night there.

And, this morning, their rescue mission has switched to recovery. I'm told by a White House source that was switched to recovery at about 4:05 in the morning. All 64 people aboard the plane and the three soldiers on the helicopter are presumed dead.

It is the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in more than two decades. And you may find these next images unsettling. This EarthCam video captures the moment the two aircraft collide. It's the bottom one right there on your screen. You can see the lights and then you see the ball of lights, indicating the collision.

That helicopter was approaching from the left as the American Air flight descended to land at Reagan National Airport. It was almost there, almost landing, and one witness described the tragedy that unfolded outside his window.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABADI ISMAIL, CRASH WITNESS: I was in my living room when I hear two bang-bang around 8:50 p.m. It was loud. It was unusual. It was something you only hear on video games, on movies, something I have never experienced.

That's what caught my attention. And I start looking at the runway right there. And, immediately, I saw the smoke on the south side of the runway.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BROWN: So let's begin this hour at the White House as we wait for President Trump to speak.

CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins is live in the Briefing Room.

Bring us there. What are we expected to hear from President Trump, Kaitlan?

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN HOST: Yes, Pamela, President Trump spent last night in the Situation Room with his team getting briefed as this crash happened just at about 8:48 p.m. Eastern time. And he was being updated by officials throughout the night, posting regularly about the updates that they were getting.

Remember, his transportation secretary had only been sworn in a few hours before this crash had happened. He was on the scene at Reagan National Airport last night after spending several hours at the FAA headquarters here in Washington monitoring these developments, as that search-and-rescue effort was under way that unfortunately did not find any survivors, as we are hearing from officials this morning.

And so we are gathered here in the Briefing Room. This was just announced a few hours ago that we are expecting President Trump to come here to this Briefing Room any moment now. We are expecting top officials to join him here.

We just saw the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, entering the White House grounds earlier today. Obviously, we heard an update from him this morning, given it was a Black Hawk helicopter that had three members of the U.S. military on board that collided with this American Airlines plane.

Pete Hegseth said earlier that these were fairly experienced pilots who had been on this plane, three crew members in all that were on board, and a lot of questions, as none of them have been identified yet, as we are waiting to hear an update on that, and also from the transportation secretary himself potentially on the status of this investigation that is going to get under way, given this is the deadliest commercial airliner crash in the United States since 2001.

And so that will be something that they will be launching an investigation, as we will be waiting to see what that looks like. And I can tell you, here in Washington, there are some lawmakers familiar with this area that we have been hearing from for some time now who were worried about how crowded the airspace at Reagan National Airport was.

Anyone who's flown into their knows it's a very busy airport. Some of the runways are quite short. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia is one of those lawmakers who just last year, along with Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, were voicing concerns about this.

And so that's also a question here. Kaine noted earlier that he is trusting the NTSB to carry out this investigation and find out what happened here. But we will wait to hear from President Trump as well any moment now, Pamela, on the latest that he has been told and what he's been informed of when it comes to this crash.

BROWN: All right, Kaitlan, thank you so much.

And I want to bring in CNN's Rene Marsh.

Rene, I know there's a lot of questions about the investigation, but I want to talk about the victims, these lives lost.

[11:05:00]

RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right.

And that's what families are grappling at this point, because the recovery effort, as we speak and as we look forward to the investigation, that is very much still under way, many of them just wanting and so important for them to retrieve the bodies of their loved ones.

And we know that several members of the U.S. skate -- U.S. figure skating was on board. We know that. We also know that they were coming back from a training camp in Wichita, Kansas, so a total of 60 on board as far as passengers and four crew members.

And this route from Wichita to Washington, D.C., is a relatively new one, had been up and running for about a year, but pivoting to the investigation, because, obviously, the flying public, when they see something like this, it is so important to get to what was the cause so that it doesn't happen again.

We know the NTSB, the FAA, DOD, the Army all coming together to investigate, were these aircraft in the right position as far as altitude? Was one not perhaps in the right position. What we do know is, it's perfectly normal for military aircraft and commercial airliners to be in the same airspace specifically in this area outside of Reagan National.

But, clearly, a midair collision between the two is not. And so that is what the focus is at this point. We know that they're going to really be zeroing in on finding those black boxes. When they hit water -- these black boxes have a pinger on them. So that is activated the moment that it hits water.

So, in theory, you would think that those would be retrieved relatively quickly, if it's not wrapped up in wreckage or stuck in mud, and then they will begin to get the timeline of events. Both of these aircraft are equipped with it.

But, Pam, when you talk about the pilots, I mean, what they would have been doing at this time, their altitude roughly around 300-and- something feet high. We have been talking a lot about their airliner's collision avoidance system known as TCAS.

It has been brought up that once it is below 1,000 feet, it does not actually work. So we get to a point of see and avoid. And it is not on the pilots who are landing the plane to see and avoid, because they are lining up with the runway. It is on that chopper, on that helicopter to see and avoid.

And so we know that they saw the chopper, the people inside of the Black Hawk, but we don't know why they didn't avoid.

BROWN: Yes, because we know, from the audio, there are still so many questions. Thank you so much, Rene Marsh, for bringing us the very latest in the investigation.

And also learning more about those victims on board the plane, and as well as the three soldiers on that helicopter.

Joining us now is Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. He's on a subcommittee covering transportation.

Senator, first of all, have you been briefed on this crash? What information can you give us?

SEN. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-MD): Well, Pamela, first, let me just say my heart goes out to everybody who lost loved ones, and thanks to the first responders, many of who came to the scene from my state of Maryland.

I have been in touch with the mayor of the District of Colombia, Mayor Bowser. We have also reached out to NTSB. Clearly, this was avoidable. The question now is exactly what went wrong so that we can avoid these kind of tragedies in the future.

BROWN: You say, clearly, this was avoidable. What more have you learned that makes you say that?

VAN HOLLEN: Well, any time you have a midair collision like this, obviously, something went wrong, right? Because, otherwise, this would be a more normal occurrence.

So the only question is, why did something go wrong? And that's the whole purpose of the NTSB hearing. Separately from this, we had some near misses last year at Reagan National that my Virginia Senate colleagues and I have spoken about.

But the focus on this investigation and this disaster right now is what we have to get to the bottom of.

BROWN: Right, certainly. And there's still a lot of questions. I know we're waiting for the black box to hopefully give more information.

But, as you noted, there have been near misses before. You and your colleagues have been outspoken about that. We just heard from Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia expressing concern about the airspace being too crowded right there near the airport. And it does raise questions, what just happened, about that crowded airspace.

Should there be military exercises happening in that crowded airspace at night near an airport? What do you think?

VAN HOLLEN: Well, Pamela, again we need to get to the bottom of what exactly happened here. But if we want to maximize the public safety at Reagan National, I share the views of my Virginia colleagues and expressed them very clearly last year that we need to understand that this is the most congested airport in the country, and that we did experience near misses last year.

[11:10:18]

And so we have raised concerns generally about the situation at Reagan National. Again, I do want to stress whether or not that congestion is what was -- what went -- what -- go wrong in this particular instance, I don't know, but it's a general underlying concern.

BROWN: You heard the transportation secretary earlier say that both aircraft were on a normal flight pattern. So, what is your understanding here, just to dig a little bit deeper into what you know, what you have been briefed on in terms of what happened here?

And, obviously, normal flight patterns aren't meant to lead to collisions.

VAN HOLLEN: Well, that's exactly right.

And that's why this is clearly avoidable. Something went wrong. Somebody did not follow procedure. I cannot jump to conclusions yet, based on what I know, as to what happened. As you indicated, I serve on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that deals with transportation. And we will also be digging into this.

But, of course, the lead right now are the NTSB. And that's why we have already reached out to them. Let's get to the bottom of this. But this is a reminder, Pamela, that we need to put safety first when it comes to the flying public.

BROWN: Yes.

VAN HOLLEN: And that is why Senator Kaine and Senator Warner and I and others have raised concerns about congestion at Reagan National.

BROWN: And I understand you don't want to jump to any conclusions, but can you provide any more information? We just had Tim Burchett on. He's on the Transportation Committee on the House. And he said he had information about the helicopter pilot, and there were questions of whether there were procedure being followed and whether it was following the instructions from air traffic control.

We're trying to also verify that information as well. Do you have any other information you can share relating to that or what is raising questions in your mind right now?

VAN HOLLEN: Well, that is certainly a critical question.

I do not have answers to that essential question right now. But the reason I can, obviously, safely say that this was avoidable is, you cannot have two aircraft on the same -- in paths that collide like this. This is exactly why we have protocols in place, so that we can avoid exactly this kind of thing.

So this is a moment to both get to the bottom of this, but it's also a moment at Reagan National to examine other issues regarding the safety of the flying public.

BROWN: All right, Senator Chris Van Hollen, thank you.

And we will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:17:32]

BROWN: Joining us now, someone who knows that airspace right around DCA very well, a former Naval pilot, someone who has flown in the space many, many times.

Thank you so much for coming on, Don.

Don, if you would, just help us understand that airspace around DCA. And we're trying to piece together what happened, but we do know from FlightAware that the plane was at 375 feet in altitude. So tell us what a pilot would be doing in that moment as it tries to land the plane, focusing on the runway, and the dynamic of this helicopter telling air traffic control that it did see the plane.

DON LYLE, FORMER MILITARY RADAR INTERCEPT OFFICER: Thank you, Pamela.

As a former Naval flight officer and commercial pilot, I have flown in the airspace up there many, many times. One of the challenges of flying in the airspace around Washington, D.C., is the number of different types of aircraft and different types of flight operations that are taking place.

From what I understand would have been happening there, the PSA aircraft would have been making a left turn to line up with Runway 33 to land; 375 feet certainly would have been consistent with the turn to that final.

And just from the limited information available, it appeared that the Black Hawk was staying to the eastern side of the Potomac, which is generally consistent with those types of flight operations up and down the river.

When a pilot says they have visual separation, they -- from what I understand from the ATC recording, is that they had the PSA aircraft in sight and then were -- would assume visual separation in that instance.

One of the things that makes Washington so challenging is the lighting. The number of lights in a major metropolitan area sometimes makes it difficult to pick up an aircraft in those types of scenarios.

[11:20:08]

BROWN: Yes, there's a big question about it being at night with the lights, how that could have impacted it. I think these are all questions that investigators are asking.

And you mentioned the air traffic control sound that we have. I want to play that if we could.

LYLE: Sure.

BROWN: I think we have that.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

TOWER: PAT-25, do you have CRJ in sight?

TOWER: PAT-25, pass behind the CRJ.

HELICOPTER PILOT: PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight. Request visual separation.

TOWER: (INAUDIBLE)

WOMAN: Oh, my.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

BROWN: So, obviously, that 13 seconds pass and then you hear the gas, "Oh, my," because of that collision.

So what does it mean when you have the air traffic control saying "Pass behind the CRJ," and then the pilot of the Black Hawk helicopter saying, "Aircraft in sight, request visual separation"? What does that mean?

LYLE: What, when -- the PSA aircraft would have been making, like we talked about before, the left turn to the final for Runway 33 at Reagan National.

(CROSSTALK)

BROWN: I'm sorry. We -- I have to interrupt you, Don, because President Trump is about to speak.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'd like to request a moment of silence for the victims and their families, please.

Thank you very much.

I speak to you this morning in an hour of anguish for our nation.

Just before 9:00 p.m. last night, an American Airlines regional jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three military service members over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. while on final approach to Reagan National Airport. Both aircraft crashed instantly and were immediately submerged into the icy waters of the Potomac. Real tragedy.

The massive search and rescue mission was underway throughout the night, leveraging every asset at our disposal. And I have to say the local, state, federal military, including the United States Coast Guard in particular, they've done a phenomenal job. So quick, so fast. It was -- it was mobilized immediately.

The work has now shifted to a recovery mission. Sadly, there are no survivors. This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation's capital and in our nation's history, and a tragedy of terrible proportions.

As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly, and we are a country of -- really, we are in mourning. This has really shaken a lot of people, including people, very sadly, from other nations who were on the flight.

For the family members back in Wichita, Kansas, here in Washington, D. C., and throughout the United States and in Russia, we are -- we have -- a Russia contingence of very talented people unfortunately were on that plane. Very, very, very sorry about that -- whose loved ones were aboard the passenger jet. We can only begin to imagine the agony that you're all feeling. Nothing worse.

On behalf of the First Lady, myself, and 340 million Americans, our hearts are shattered alongside yours and our prayers are with you now and in the days to come. We'll be working very, very diligently in the days to come. We're here for you to wipe away the tears and to offer you our devotion, our love, and our support. There's great support.

In moments like this, the differences between Americans fade to nothing compared to the bonds of affection and loyalty that unite us all, both as Americans and even as nations. We are one family, and today, we are all heartbroken. We're all searching for answers. That icy, icy Potomac, it was a cold, cold night, cold water. We're all overcome with the grief for many who have so tragically perished, will no longer be with us.

[11:25:00]

TRUMP: Together, we take solace in the knowledge that their journey ended not in the cold waters of the Potomac but in the warm embrace of a loving God.

We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas, and I think we'll probably state those opinions now because over the years, I have watched as things like this happen, and they say, "Well, we're always investigating," and then, the investigation three years later, they announce it.

We think we have some pretty good ideas, but we'll find out how this disaster occurred and we'll ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. The FAA and the NTSB and the U.S. military will be carrying out a systematic and comprehensive investigation. Our new secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy -- his second day on the job when that happened. It's a -- it's a rough one -- will be working tirelessly. He's a great gentleman. A whole group is -- these are great people, and they are working tirelessly to figure out exactly what happened. We'll -- we will state certain opinions, however. I'm also immediately appointing an acting commissioner to the FAA,

Christopher Rocheleau, a 22-year veteran of the agency, highly respected.

Christopher, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

We must have only the highest standards for those who work in our aviation system. I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best, to extraordinary. You remember that. Only the highest-aptitude -- they have to be the highest-intellect and psychologically-superior people -- were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers. That was not so prior to getting there when I arrived in 2016. I made that change very early on because I always felt this was a job that -- and other jobs, too. But this was a job that had to be superior intelligence, and we didn't really have that, and we had it.

And then, when I left office and Biden took over, he changed them back to lower than ever before. I put safety first. Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first, and they put politics at a level that nobody's ever seen, because this was the lowest level. Their policy was horrible and their politics was (sic) even worse.

So as you know, last week, long before the crash, I signed an executive order restoring our highest standards for air traffic controllers and other important jobs throughout the country. So it was very interesting. About a week ago, almost upon entering office, I signed something last week that was an executive order, very powerful, on restoring the highest standards of air traffic controllers and others, by the way. And my administration will set the highest- possible bar for aviation safety. We have to have our smartest people. It doesn't matter what they look like, how they speak, who they are. It matters -- intellect, talent. The word "talent" -- you have to be talented, naturally-talented geniuses. You can't have regular people doing that job. They won't be able to do it. But we'll restore faith in American air travel. I will have more to say about that.

I do want to point out that various articles that appeared prior to my entering office -- and here's one: "The FAA's diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities." That is amazing. And then it says, "FSS says people with severe disabilities are most under-represented segment of the work force", and they want them in and they want them -- they can be air traffic controllers. I don't think so. This was on January 14th, so that was a week before I entered office. They put a big push to put diversity into the FAA's program.

Then another article: "The Federal Aviation Administration --" -- this was before I got to office recently, second term." The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency's Web site."

Can you imagine? These are people that are -- I mean, actually, their lives are shortened because of the stress that they have. Brilliant people have to be in those positions. And their lives are actually shortened, very substantially shortened because of the stress, where you have many, many planes coming into one target.