I have spoken with Washington D.C. Mayor Bowser, Virginia Governor Youngkin, Kansas Governor Kelly, and NTSB Chair Homendy to offer our agency’s complete assistance. Thank you to all first responders who are on the scene and conducting the search and rescue operations.
May God rest the souls on that plane and in the helicopter and comfort their grieving families.
(3/3) If there was negligence, incompetence, or failure anywhere in the system, we will find it—and I will fix it.
I will provide further updates as we uncover the facts.
I will provide further updates as we uncover the facts.
(2/3) I will find answers to how this happened. I have directed every relevant agency to immediately investigate what went wrong, and I will not tolerate delays or bureaucratic excuses.
(1/3) What happened today should never have happened. I want the families of the victims to know that they have my word: I will not rest until you have the truth.
This is not what I expected my first day on the job to be, but I do believe that God puts us exactly where we’re supposed to be.
Tonight, I met with some of the families who lost their loved ones in the plane and helicopter crash last night. Their pain is immeasurable. I can’t take away their pain, but I can do a very small part to help ease it by keeping my promise to get to the bottom of what happened and be 100% transparent about the results of the investigation. They have my word.
My heart and the heart of the nation are with them tonight and in the difficult days ahead. May God bless them all.
I am in the process of developing an initial plan to fix the @FAANews. I hope to put it out very shortly.
Tomorrow, I am going to the FAA command center and recovery hangar. I will continue to keep the families and the public up-to-date with what we are doing in this situation and every other situation that falls under @USDOT.
@POTUS is the most transparent president in my lifetime. I intend to reflect that spirit during this investigation and in all my work at @USDOT.
Good night for now….tomorrow we get back to work!
Tonight, I met with some of the families who lost their loved ones in the plane and helicopter crash last night. Their pain is immeasurable. I can’t take away their pain, but I can do a very small part to help ease it by keeping my promise to get to the bottom of what happened and be 100% transparent about the results of the investigation. They have my word.
My heart and the heart of the nation are with them tonight and in the difficult days ahead. May God bless them all.
I am in the process of developing an initial plan to fix the @FAANews. I hope to put it out very shortly.
Tomorrow, I am going to the FAA command center and recovery hangar. I will continue to keep the families and the public up-to-date with what we are doing in this situation and every other situation that falls under @USDOT.
@POTUS is the most transparent president in my lifetime. I intend to reflect that spirit during this investigation and in all my work at @USDOT.
Good night for now….tomorrow we get back to work!
NEW: With the support of @POTUS and in consultation with the @SecDef, effective today, the @FAANews will restrict helicopter traffic around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport airport.
Today’s decision will immediately help secure the airspace near Reagan Airport, ensuring the safety of airplane and helicopter traffic. This is part of the @USDOT's ongoing commitment to safeguarding our nation’s skies and upholding the highest standards of air travel safety. We will continue to support @POTUS' directive to achieve uncompromised aviation safety. The American people deserve full confidence in our aviation system and today’s action is a significant step towards restoring that trust.
The restricted area includes:
- Memorial Bridge to South Capitol Street Bridge, excluding the Tidal Basin
- Haines Point to Wilson Bridge
- Over the top of DCA
Today’s decision will immediately help secure the airspace near Reagan Airport, ensuring the safety of airplane and helicopter traffic. This is part of the @USDOT's ongoing commitment to safeguarding our nation’s skies and upholding the highest standards of air travel safety. We will continue to support @POTUS' directive to achieve uncompromised aviation safety. The American people deserve full confidence in our aviation system and today’s action is a significant step towards restoring that trust.
The restricted area includes:
- Memorial Bridge to South Capitol Street Bridge, excluding the Tidal Basin
- Haines Point to Wilson Bridge
- Over the top of DCA
I am monitoring the crash in Philadelphia and heading to the @FAANews to gather more information.
Here is what we’ve learned thus far.
A Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. There were reportedly 6 people on board.
The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The @FAANews and @NTSB will investigate.
We will continue to provide updates.
A Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. There were reportedly 6 people on board.
The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The @FAANews and @NTSB will investigate.
We will continue to provide updates.
Just briefed the President and @GovernorShapiro from FAA HQ. I offered the full support of the @USDOT to the Governor and local officials.
Investigators are on site. @FAANews
Investigators are on site. @FAANews
Effective immediately, the Department of Transportation will no longer participate in celebrations based on immutable traits or any other identity-based observances. These distractions do nothing to keep planes in the air, trains on the tracks, or ports and highways secure. In the wake of two devastating plane crashes, my focus is singular: enforcing the highest standards of safety and accountability. From now on, everyday of every month we celebrate transportation, beautiful infrastructure, and safety.
The primary NOTAM system is experiencing a temporary outage, but there is currently
no impact to the National Airspace System because a backup system is in place.
NOTAMs provide updates about anything that may effect the safety of a flight.
All active NOTAMs were available until the time of the outage. The agency activated its contingency system to supplement and support preflight briefings and continue flight operations.
The @FAANews is working to fully restore the system, and there may be some residual delays tomorrow morning. Please check with your airline for updates.
We are investigating the root cause and we will provide updates.
FAA has set up a hotline to communicate with aviation stakeholders and will send notices every 30 minutes with updates on the system's status.
no impact to the National Airspace System because a backup system is in place.
NOTAMs provide updates about anything that may effect the safety of a flight.
All active NOTAMs were available until the time of the outage. The agency activated its contingency system to supplement and support preflight briefings and continue flight operations.
The @FAANews is working to fully restore the system, and there may be some residual delays tomorrow morning. Please check with your airline for updates.
We are investigating the root cause and we will provide updates.
FAA has set up a hotline to communicate with aviation stakeholders and will send notices every 30 minutes with updates on the system's status.
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My update on the crashes near Reagan National Airport and in Philadelphia:
Effective immediately, the Department of Transportation will no longer participate in celebrations based on immutable traits or any other identity-based observances. These distractions do nothing to keep planes in the air, trains on the tracks, or ports and highways secure. In the wake of two devastating plane crashes, my focus is singular: enforcing the highest standards of safety and accountability. From now on, everyday of every month we celebrate transportation, beautiful infrastructure, and safety.
The primary NOTAM system is experiencing a temporary outage, but there is currently
no impact to the National Airspace System because a backup system is in place.
NOTAMs provide updates about anything that may effect the safety of a flight.
All active NOTAMs were available until the time of the outage. The agency activated its contingency system to supplement and support preflight briefings and continue flight operations.
The @FAANews is working to fully restore the system, and there may be some residual delays tomorrow morning. Please check with your airline for updates.
We are investigating the root cause and we will provide updates.
FAA has set up a hotline to communicate with aviation stakeholders and will send notices every 30 minutes with updates on the system's status.
no impact to the National Airspace System because a backup system is in place.
NOTAMs provide updates about anything that may effect the safety of a flight.
All active NOTAMs were available until the time of the outage. The agency activated its contingency system to supplement and support preflight briefings and continue flight operations.
The @FAANews is working to fully restore the system, and there may be some residual delays tomorrow morning. Please check with your airline for updates.
We are investigating the root cause and we will provide updates.
FAA has set up a hotline to communicate with aviation stakeholders and will send notices every 30 minutes with updates on the system's status.
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
The mission of @USDOT and @FAANews is safety. The last administration prioritized the environment and social justice over safety. Under the Trump Administration, we are back on mission.
“We’re focused on safety and having the best people delivering that safety. I don’t care about your race, religion, your sex, or your sexual preference. That doesn’t matter. Just the best and brightest.”
“We’re focused on safety and having the best people delivering that safety. I don’t care about your race, religion, your sex, or your sexual preference. That doesn’t matter. Just the best and brightest.”
I am on my way to Philadelphia to meet with local officials and investigators. Later today, I will be back at Reagan National airport as crews pull wreckage from the water.
On the ground in Philadelphia to get a firsthand look at the damage, extend our condolences, and ensure @PhillyMayor and @GovernorShapiro have the resources they need for recovery.