Collection

Trans National Guard Pilot Falsely Associated with DC Chopper, Jet Crash

All 64 people on the American Airlines passenger plane and three people aboard the Army helicopter were killed.

by Izz Scott LaMagdeleine, Jan. 31, 2025


Image courtesy of Getty Images


On Jan. 29, 2025, a U.S. Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet near Washington, D.C. All 60 passengers and four crew members on the plane, as well as three people on the helicopter, were believed to be dead.

Snopes is working on fact-checking claims that have spread about the crash. So far we've fact-checked rumors about whether a trans woman was piloting the Army helicopter (false), whether U.S. President Donald Trump fired 3,000 air traffic controllers (mix of truth/falsehoods) and whether former President Barack Obama was on the helicopter (false). Please use our contact form if you would like to get in touch with us about a claim you think we should look into about the crash.

Here's our work about the crash so far:


By Izz Scott LaMagdeleine

Izz Scott LaMagdeleine is the web producer/production editor for Snopes.

No, Barack Obama Wasn't on Army Helicopter That Crashed Into American Airline Plane

Jan. 30, 2025

Officials believe no one survived the collision near Washington, D.C., in late January 2025.

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A white man wearing a blue suit talks while sitting in front of a microphone.

FAA Hiring Policy Lambasted by Trump After DC Plane Crash Existed During His 1st Term

Jan. 30, 2025

Trump implied that a long-standing FAA policy could be to blame for the deadly collision between ...

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Two white men wearing black suits are pictured next to each other. One is looking forward + speaking, while the other on the right is looking towards the left side.

Elon Musk Wanted FAA Chief Out, But There's No Evidence He Pushed Him To Resign

Jan. 31, 2025

In the fall of 2024, the tech billionaire said the FAA administrator should resign after the age ...

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No Evidence Trump Fired 3,000 Air Traffic Controllers

Jan. 31, 2025

The president was quick to blame DEI policies for a fatal midair collision in January 2025.

Read More


A white woman is pictured smiling. In the photo on the right, she is wearing a camouflage army uniform.

Trans National Guard Pilot Falsely Associated with DC Chopper, Jet Crash

Jan. 31, 2025

The Black Hawk pilot shared a "proof of life" video on Jan. 31, 2025.

Read More



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