The American army faces Increase in the buttress Families of the 67 people killed in January open -air collision Above the Potomac river, with relatives accusing military officials of escape, scenario and refusal to take responsibility.
In a letter sent this week to the secretary of the army Dan Driscoll, 168 members of the family of victims expressed their deep disappointment in the face of the conduct of the army during current survey. According to The Washington PostThey criticized the army’s silence and secret model, in particular in relation to the reactivity shown by other agencies.
“The army’s approach contrasts strongly with the more collaborative position taken by other organizations involved in this incident and raises serious questions about its commitment to transparency and responsibility,” says the letter.
At the heart of the frustration of families is the army’s refusal to engage significantly with them, even if other parties involved in the tragedy – such as the National Transportation Safety Board and the Ministry of Transport – were more to come.
The accident occurred when a black Hawk Hawk helicopter of the army collided with American Eagle Flight 5342 while the commercial jet made its final approach to the national airport Reagan.
The letter highlights the particularly blatant decision of the army to retain an ADS-B non-classified policy note from the congress, releasing it only under the threat of a summons. The equipment, which detects and helps to avoid potential collisions, would not have been transmitted from the army helicopter during the accident, a detail discovered by the NTSB.
“These actions demonstrate the army’s desire to bypass the official processes and to resist surveillance when defeating the examination.
According to relatives, army officials held a single initial meeting after the accident, but then disappeared. They added that updates when they came, were often abandoned during the holidays, which they suspect was supposed to minimize media coverage.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, who initially promised support for victims, has only eaten more indignation. In the days following the tragedy, he offered a series of Bizarre and baseless theoriesblame everything, diversity, equity and inclusion programs to President Barack Obama and Naanism. None of these statements had a link with the crash, nor supported by evidence.
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Even if the NTSB continues its investigation, families say that the army failed to meet. A defense official confirmed to the post that senior army leaders now plan to meet families later affected this month, alongside the NTSB public hearings. But for many parents, it can happen far too late.
Some families, such as that of Co -Pilot Sam Lilley, are particularly indignant. Lilley’s father, Tim – almost a former Black Hawk pilot – said the accident reveals training gaps and a culture of complacency within the involved military unit.
The Inspector General of the Army refused to open an independent audit on the incident, despite Bipartite support And the pressure of the congress, another painful point raised in the letter.
“Since it is the deadliest incident involving American civilian victims caused by the military of modern history, the army has an increased responsibility to ensure the transparency of the public and the urgent implementation of significant security reforms,” said the letter. “The extent of this tragedy requires a complete cooperation and responsibility of all the parties involved, including the US military.”
Their requests are simple: appoint a family link, keep a complete meeting with families and support the audits of the congress.
It is a simple request after an unspeakable loss. But again, the Trump administration – and its military leadership – seems more interested to cover their traces than to face hard truths.
