‘No Accident’: Conspiracies emerge over American Airlines flight and Blackhawk helicopter collision

Donald Trump is among the skeptics questioning why the helicopter didn’t alter course before colliding with the plane.

President Donald Trump has raised questions about the tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., suggesting that the crash may not have been an accident.

Trump posted his concerns on Truth Social shortly after the incident, which occurred late Wednesday evening.

In his post, Trump described the flight path of the passenger plane as “perfect and routine,” adding that the helicopter seemed to fly directly at the plane for an extended period. He pointed out the clear night sky and the airplane’s visible lights, asking, “Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane?” Trump implied that the crash appeared preventable, calling the situation “NOT GOOD!!!”

The latest on the Blackhawk collision with an American Airlines plane.

This wasn't an accident. After watching that video...no accident. pic.twitter.com/yhfeEznQzU

— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) January 30, 2025

The collision, which took place as the American Airlines flight was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport, has sparked widespread speculation on social media. Some users have speculated that the crash might have been intentional, with one person posting footage of the collision and asking, “Someone tell me how this is not intentional? A Blackhawk casually running into an American Airlines passenger plane?”

Someone tell me how this is not intentional ?

A Blackhawk casually running into an American Airlines passenger plane?

Come on. #planecrash #potomac #DC #Reagan

pic.twitter.com/XqOM6X1GkT

— Mike (@PantherMike182) January 30, 2025

Others have suggested the possibility of a terrorist attack, with one user commenting, “This is an act of #terrorism.”

This is an act of #terrorism
Blackhawk chopper intentionally running into an American Airlines passenger plane. #planecrash #AmericanAirlines pic.twitter.com/hxD8NzcEBa

— Mukul Prasad (@mukulprasad) January 30, 2025

The American Airlines flight, a PSA Airlines regional jet, was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members. The flight had just left Kansas and was approaching Washington, D.C. when it collided with the Blackhawk helicopter, which was carrying three soldiers on a training mission. The helicopter, identified as a Blackhawk UH-60, had been conducting a routine exercise for the U.S. Army. The crash occurred around 9 p.m., with horrific footage capturing the moment of impact, followed by a large fireball that lit up the night sky. Pieces of the wreckage fell into the Potomac River.

While the authorities have not confirmed the exact number of casualties, reports indicate that at least 19 bodies have been recovered from the river. Emergency response teams, including multiple agencies, have been working at the crash site, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the grounding of all flights at Reagan National Airport.

Among those aboard the American Airlines flight were several prominent U.S. figure skaters and coaches. The skaters had recently participated in the National Development Camp at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Two world champions were reportedly on the flight, as well as coaches and parents returning from the event.

The crash is one of the most significant in recent years, following the deadly Continental Flight 3407 crash in 2009. While authorities work to determine the facts, public speculation and conspiracy theories continue to circulate.