Two Fatal Aviation Crashes in U.S. Leave 73 Dead, Investigations Underway

Separate incidents in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia raise questions about air traffic control, aviation safety, and infrastructure challenges.

A mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a commercial jet in Washington D.C. killed 67 people, with 41 bodies recovered so far from the Potomac River.
The crash in Washington has drawn attention to severe staffing shortages in U.S. air traffic control, with only one controller on duty at the time of the collision instead of the required two.
In Philadelphia, a medical Learjet carrying six Mexican nationals, including a child who had just undergone life-saving treatment, crashed into a residential area, killing all on board and damaging nearby structures.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered black boxes from both incidents and expects to release preliminary findings within 30 days, though full investigations may take up to a year.
Former President Donald Trump has criticized aviation safety policies, attributing the Washington crash to workforce diversity efforts, a claim condemned by experts and political opponents as baseless and inflammatory.