In the latest interview with BBC News, Trump addresses plane crashes amid growing concerns over multiple recent incidents.
Concerns grow over multiple plane crashes
In recent months, multiple plane crashes have raised concerns about aviation safety.
On Sunday, March 9, a single-engine airplane carrying five people crashed near a Pennsylvania airport. Fortunately, all passengers survived, though two remain in critical condition.
This incident follows several other aviation accidents:
– On January 29, a Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines plane in Washington, D.C. No one survived.
– On January 31, a Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed in Philadelphia, killing all six onboard.
– On February 17, a Delta Airlines flight flipped upside down while landing in Toronto. All 80 passengers were safely evacuated.
These crashes have raised public concern about aviation safety.
Trump addresses plane crashes
While aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump was asked about the recent Pennsylvania crash.
A WAAY 31 News reporter referenced Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s concerns over Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) layoffs.
In February, hundreds of FAA employees lost their jobs, with union leader David Spero calling the layoffs “shameful.”
When asked if Duffy’s concerns were valid, Trump dismissed the connection between FAA staffing and recent crashes.
He argued that the Pennsylvania crash involved a small plane, stating, “That would have happened whether you had a big department or a small department.”
“Well, that has nothing to do with the Department”, Trum said, “They have space like this, you know, there are times where things happen a little bit more often than normal and then it goes back and you go, many years without having a problem.”
Additionally, Trump also suggested that aviation accidents occur in clusters but eventually return to normal levels.
He praised a Southwest Airlines pilot for preventing a collision in Chicago and criticized the private plane pilot involved, suggesting their license should be revoked.
Experts explain the rise in crashes
Despite Trump’s comments, aviation experts have offered a different perspective. Attorney and aviation expert Jason Matzus explained that the rise in crashes is likely due to “random clustering.”
Matzus stated, “Recent crashes, such as the Delta plane flipping in Toronto and the collision at Reagan National in D.C., have raised concerns. However, the likely explanation is ‘random clustering’—when multiple crashes occur in a short period, distorting public perception.”
He emphasized that these incidents are not necessarily signs of systemic issues. “Our perception of an increasing trend is often amplified by media coverage,” Matzus said.
The debate over aviation safety continues.
Some believe the FAA staffing cuts may impact safety, while others agree with Trump’s assessment.
With growing concerns over air travel, many are watching closely to see if regulatory changes will follow.
For now, aviation experts urge travelers to remain calm, emphasizing that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation.