The tragic midair collision over the Potomac River on Wednesday night has left many unanswered questions. Among them is the identity of the female pilot of the helicopter that caused the crash, whose name has yet to be released. Officials have remained silent, some speculating that the reason stems from notifying the next of kin that it must happen first. However, other speculation is running strong online, with theories emerging about why her name is being withheld.
Social media users have begun questioning whether there is another reason behind the delay. Some have pointed to a growing rumor that the pilot was a transgender woman, fueling further debate about diversity policies in aviation. This speculation intensified after President Trump addressed the crash during a Thursday press conference, where he criticized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in aviation and government agencies.
“This mismangement is what happens when you put politics over qualifications,” Trump said, without directly linking DEI policies to the crash. His remarks set off a firestorm, with supporters arguing that merit should be the only standard in aviation, while critics accused him of using a tragedy to advance his political narrative.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have yet to comment on the pilot’s background. Authorities are focused on recovering victims and investigating the cause of the crash. As of Thursday evening, 40 bodies had been recovered, and the wreckage was being examined for clues.
The collision occurred when American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was making its approach to Reagan National Airport. It struck a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter conducting what is being called a routine training flight. There were no survivors among the 64 people aboard the jet or the three soldiers in the helicopter.
Yahoo news reported on Friday morning: “Two so-called black boxes — a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder — have been recovered from the plane, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday. The recorders are being evaluated, and will help reconstruct what happened before the crash. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday said a black box had not yet been recovered from the helicopter.”
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that a single air traffic controller was managing both helicopters and planes at the time—normally a two-person job. Whether this played a role in the disaster remains to be seen.
The online debate about the pilot’s identity has added another layer of controversy to an already shocking tragedy. While officials insist that proper protocol must be followed in releasing names, the internet remains unconvinced. As the investigation unfolds, the pressure to provide answers—including who was in the cockpit—will only intensify.