NASA admin Isaacman warns against speculation on fatal plane crash in Florida

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Monday warned people against speculating about the cause of a fatal plan crash in Florida, taking particular exception to conclusions that the female co-pilot was improperly credentialed due to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The fatal plane crash saw all nine people aboard die. Viral footage of the incident spread across social media, showing the plane appear to collide with a car at a roadway intersection. 

In a lengthy social media post, Isaacman stressed that he was commenting on the matter in a personal capacity and not as NASA administrator.

"I feel compelled to post after seeing commentary about the Lear 60 crash, from missile strikes to DEI to critiquing this poor woman’s final radio calls," he posted on X. "That last part is what I find most troubling. She was the second-in-command (SIC), and while she was empowered to point out mistakes as part of good crew resource management, she was doing her job, communicating with ATC right to the end in a terrifying situation."

"She likely knew before many of those calls that she was going to die. I have heard final calls from friends, from military pilots with thousands of hours in fighter aircraft, and they are just as heartbreaking because they know the end is approaching," he added.

"Let people investigate, learn, and share the facts. Be respectful to those who perished and the families who carry their memories. God bless them and their loved ones," Isaacman concluded.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed this week that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was investigating the incident. As of press time, officials have not identified the cause of the crash.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.