Grief, Mourning, Fact-Gathering, Recovery, And Investigation

Captain Jason Ambrosi, President of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the statement below concerning Wednesday night’s fatal accident involving a mid-air collision between PSA Flight 5342 and a military Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

“We mourn the loss of our friends, colleagues, and members of our ALPA and Association of Flight Attendants union family.

"Today, we embark on a long journey of grief, recovery, and fact-gathering. We have all dedicated our careers to preventing an accident like this, the first major fatal passenger accident of a U.S. carrier that we have faced in the United States in well over a decade.

“ALPA’s accident investigation team is on scene assisting the National Transportation Safety Board with its work, and our Critical Incident Response Program is working to support ALPA members and the families involved.

“A lot of details and speculation will come out in response to this tragedy, but we must remember to let the investigation run its course. Extra pressure will be on each of us as our passengers—and our fellow crewmembers—have this accident on their minds. However, as we do day in and day out, ALPA pilots will continue to lead the way with professionalism and an overarching commitment to safety.”

FMI:  www.alpa.org/