Former American Airlines captain criticizes Trump’s remarks on DC plane collision

Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Feb 04, 2025, 23:43 IST
Airspace Shared, Safety Questioned
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Les Abend, a retired American Airlines captain, criticized Donald Trump's remarks blaming diversity policies for a plane and helicopter collision in DC. Trump’s comments were described as irresponsible and misleading. Experts say no evidence links the incident to DEI policies. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, focusing on factors like air traffic control miscommunication and weather conditions.


A retired American Airlines captain, Les Abend, has expressed strong disapproval of former President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding the tragic collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River. Speaking with CNN’s Kasie Hunt, Abend said he was “disgusted” by Trump’s assertion that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies were to blame for the fatal incident.

Trump’s remarks, made during a press briefing, have ignited controversy, with critics accusing him of using the tragedy to push a political narrative. Instead of focusing on the facts of the accident, Trump alleged that DEI initiatives had compromised aviation safety, a claim widely dismissed by aviation experts.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are conducting thorough investigations into the crash to determine the precise causes. Early reports suggest that factors such as air traffic control miscommunication and weather conditions may have played roles, but no evidence has linked the incident to DEI policies.

Abend, who has decades of experience in the aviation industry, emphasized the rigorous training and qualifications required for pilots, regardless of diversity policies. “These kinds of remarks are not only irresponsible but also deeply misleading,” he said, stressing that safety remains the highest priority in the aviation sector.

The debate over DEI in government agencies and private industries has been a recurring theme in Trump’s rhetoric. His latest remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some of his supporters agreeing with his stance, while many aviation professionals and political opponents argue that his comments are inflammatory and unfounded.

As the investigation into the collision continues, aviation experts urge the public to wait for official findings before drawing conclusions. Meanwhile, Abend’s criticism underscores a broader concern: the politicization of safety issues that should be handled with objectivity and expertise.

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