Summary

Days before the fatal mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., Donald Trump eliminated the membership of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, a key aviation safety panel.

The committee, established after the 1988 PanAm Flight 103 bombing, had advised on air travel security but was left without members following Trump’s move.

The crash, involving an American Eagle jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, left no survivors.

Critics question whether Trump’s decision weakened aviation oversight and potentially contributed to the tragedy.