After seeing video footage of the Washington plane disaster, netizens are perplexed as to how such a collision could have occurred, with some expressing their suspicions that something is wrong.
News sites have released recordings of a helicopter colliding with an American Airlines plane near Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. The extensively discussed posts came after the FAA issued a statement explaining what occurred.The Daily Mail uploaded a video on TikTok of the mid-air accident, in which the jet was approaching the airport when a helicopter flying directly opposite it smashed into it, causing a large explosion.
From the camera’s perspective, the crash appeared as a burst of light, followed by plumes of smoke and the jet and helicopter falling into the Potomac River.The Daily Mail’s TikTok image begins: “The airline has confirmed that there was 60 passengers and four crews members onboard Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to the Capital when the collision happened [sic].”Additionally, first responders are scanning the Potomac River near the airport. After witnessing the Daily Mail film, many netizens raced to the comment area to share their opinions to what happened.
“As a pilot, I’m stunned that this happened. You have controllers that are designed to avoid this, and there are fewer [sic] collisions at night because of the anti-collision lights on each aircraft.:/,” claimed a TikToker.
Many social media users expressed similar surprise about how the collision occurred. One reader wrote, “This [sic] is so strange…” while another said, “No, this makes no sense on so many levels….”A collision at this level, at such a low altitude…??? Are you telling me that air traffic control did not watch their path? Did the pilots wear no [sic] gear???”
Another eyewitness said, “Prayers.” How is this even possible? A netizen responded to a video released on TikTok by NBC Washington, which showed the same footage with a reporter narrating the crash, saying, “Blackhawk military helicopters can’t notice other aircraft at night?? That airplane has all of its landing lights turned on. “This is unbelievable.”