2 Accused of Leaking Airplane Crash Footage To CNN

Authorities have arrested two MWAA employees for allegedly leaking footage of a catastrophic midair collision involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a plane over Washington D.C.

Key Insights

Two MWAA employees were arrested for allegedly leaking footage to CNN, showing a deadly midair collision.
The accused, Mohamed Lamine Mbengue and Jonathan Savoy, were charged with computer trespass.
The crash resulted in 67 fatalities, marking it the deadliest U.S. crash in over two decades.
Federal investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.

Arrests and Charges

Two employees of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) were arrested for allegedly making an unauthorized copy of and leaking footage of a devastating collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger plane to CNN. Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, and Jonathan Savoy, 45, are facing charges of computer trespass. Footage reportedly showed a clearer view than previously seen of the deadly collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Both individuals have been released, Mbengue on his own recognizance and Savoy on a magistrate summons. The computer trespass charge is a misdemeanor.

The deadly crash, occurring on January 30, 2025, involved a military helicopter and an American Airlines flight, and resulted in the deaths of 67 people. The ensuing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board seeks to determine the crash’s root cause. Recent reports have revealed findings that the helicopter involved in the crash was flying too high, but authorities are still probing for further information.

Reagan airport employees arrested for allegedly leaking video of DC plane crash https://t.co/IDsP0qGrM0

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 4, 2025

The Impact of the Crash

The midair collision over Washington D.C. sparked a federal investigation and ongoing recovery efforts. Out of the 67 victims, including three from the helicopter, authorities have recovered the remains of 55 individuals. The wreckage of both aircrafts is being removed from the Potomac River, where the crash occurred.

These events constitute the deadliest crash in the United States in over 20 years. While recovery operations continue, federal investigators remain confident in recovering all victims and establishing the event’s cause. The MWAA’s role in managing Reagan and Dulles airports is crucial in preventing such incidents.

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Repercussions and Legal Proceedings

Both suspects, Mbengue and Savoy, were released separately, allowing judicial proceedings to continue. So far, no further details on the case have been provided. As investigations unfold, updates may shed light on internal protocol breaches leading to such leaks.