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First Move with Julia Chatterley

NTSB Begins Investigation Into Deadly Midair Collision

·49 min·4 clips
A midair collision over Washington D.C. kills 67, with no survivors recovered from the Potomac River.
The episode begins with breaking news of a midair collision over Washington D.C., involving American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities and no survivors. Recovery efforts on the Potomac River are detailed, with over 40 bodies recovered. Sources indicate one air traffic controller was working two tower positions at the time. The NTSB launches an investigation, marking the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in over 23 years. Former FAA accident investigation director Stephen Wallace joins, explaining the NTSB's thorough process and noting this is the first U.S. airline midair collision since 1978. He discusses challenges at Reagan National Airport, including Runway 33's complexity. CNN's Richard Quest critiques President Trump's speculation that DEI policies caused the crash, warning against premature conclusions. Pentagon reporter Oren Lieberman provides details on the Army helicopter's routine night training mission and the pilots' experience. The episode shifts to international news, covering a hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, with chaotic scenes during the handover. Former State Department negotiator Aaron David Miller analyzes Hamas's remaining strength after 15 months of war. The show returns to the crash, reporting that flight data recorders have not been recovered and 50 NTSB investigators are on site. Victims include young figure skaters and coaches from a developmental camp; sports analyst Christine Brennan discusses the impact on the skating community. The episode concludes with segments on Senate confirmation hearings for Trump nominees Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, and RFK Jr., and an interview with Nigeria's trade minister on business reforms.

As heard by us

A grounded news hour anchors its wider international sweep in the Washington collision investigation.

The episode leads with the NTSB investigation into the fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C.

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Why you'd press play

You want the NTSB investigation into a deadly mid-air collision over Washington, D.C., with the detail that one air traffic controller was working two tower positions.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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