Misinformation Surge Follows D.C. Plane Collision

A U.S. Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet near Washington, D.C. Authorities presume all 67 people aboard the American Airlines jet and the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter are dead. Following the tragedy, social media trolls spread baseless claims about the incident, including accusations from President Donald Trump to his predecessors.

67 Killed in D.C. Plane Collision

Authorities presume that the collision between the American Airlines regional jet and the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025, killed all 67 people aboard.

This devastating day will go down in history as the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2001, according to CNN.

As authorities uncover more details of the catastrophe and identify additional victims, the magnitude of the loss grows clearer.

The National Transportation Safety Board, currently investigating the cause, expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days. The final report, which will pinpoint the probable cause, will take much longer to complete.

Police Say Their Helicopter Was Not Involved in D.C. Plane Collision

Following the tragic incident, social media users quickly spread unfounded claims. Several social media users alleged that the American Airlines flight collided with a D.C. police helicopter, killing all passengers.

An X user shared a video of the incident, claiming, “BREAKING DCA CRASH: Initial reports indicate that it was American Airlines Flight 5342 inbound to DCA from Wichita, Kansas. The plane collided with a D.C. Police Helicopter as it was approaching.”

Misbar investigated the viral claim and found it to be misleading. The D.C. Police Department confirmed that the helicopter involved did not belong to MPD, contradicting the false claim.

On January 30, the D.C. Police Department addressed the claim on social media, stating, “MPD’s helicopter is NOT involved in this incident and is currently assisting in the multi-agency response.”

Moreover, reliable media outlets confirmed that the helicopter was a military aircraft on a training mission to evacuate government officials in the event of a catastrophe or attack.

False Claim Link National Guard Pilot to D.C. Air Collision

Two days after the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with the American Airlines passenger jet in Washington, D.C., rumors began circulating that Jo Ellis, a transgender woman serving as a pilot in the Virginia Army National Guard, was behind the crash.

Viral posts falsely claimed that Ellis was the Black Hawk pilot and deliberately caused the incident.

Misbar's team investigated the claim and found it to be baseless. Ellis took to Facebook to confirm she is alive and was not involved in the crash. She posted a “proof of life” video and wrote in another post: “Some craziness has happened on the internet and I'm being named as one of the pilots of the DC crash.”

“Please report any accounts or posts you see. It's insulting to the victims and families of those lost and they deserve better than this BS from the bots and trolls of the internet,” she added.

Trump's Controversial Claim About Diversity Schemes After D.C. Plane Crash

In the aftermath of the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy by suggesting that diversity programs supported by his predecessors contributed to the plane crash.

During a Thursday news conference, Trump claimed that policies under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden allowed air traffic controllers (ATCs) with “severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities” to be hired. He implied, without providing any evidence, that these policies might have contributed to the crash.

Trump pointed to diversity policies from the Obama administration, which prioritized recruitment efforts for individuals with various disabilities.

BBC’s investigation found that an archived FAA webpage listed conditions such as hearing and vision impairments, partial and complete paralysis, epilepsy, psychiatric disabilities, and severe intellectual disabilities among those targeted for hiring.

However, investigations found no evidence that these policies compromised safety or contributed to the recent mid-air collision. The FAA enforces strict hiring standards, requiring all air traffic controllers to complete extensive training, medical evaluations, and psychological screening.

In 2019, Trump’s administration introduced a separate program to create pathways for people with disabilities into air traffic operations. The initiative ensured that all candidates met the same rigorous qualifications as other applicants.

Former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt rejected Trump’s claims, stating that policies of diversity have no impact on air traffic controller hiring standards.

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