Trump points to pilot error in Black Hawk collision near D.C.
The President of the USA, Donald Trump, suggests that a Black Hawk pilot error was the cause of a collision with a plane near Washington. According to Trump, the helicopter should not have been flying at the same altitude as the passenger aircraft.
In his latest post on the Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump wrote that the helicopter was flying at too high an altitude.
"The Blackhawk helicopter was flying too high, by a lot. It was far above the 200 foot [60 metres] limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???" wrote Trump.
Did Trump find the culprit?
Trump did not disclose what he bases his conclusions on, but he had previously pointed out the helicopter's cruising altitude.
On Thursday, he expressed dissatisfaction that the helicopter was at the same altitude as the plane. The helicopter should be 300-150 metres (1,000-500 feet) above or below it. The plane was at an altitude of 90-120 metres (300-400 feet), he said while signing the orders.
The President emphasised that he is not in favour of reducing air traffic in the region, including military flights, as long as they are conducted in appropriate areas and not at the same altitude as passenger planes. Trump stressed that flight safety is a priority, but it should not limit aviation operations.
