Investigators are looking at the factors that contributed to Wednesday’s tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., and they may consider whether night vision goggles played a role. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that a “fairly experienced” crew was conducting an “annual proficiency training flight” in the military helicopter when it collided with the civilian airplane.

The pilot of the military helicopter that collided into an American Airlines flight was wearing night vision goggles, possibly obscuring their vision, President Donald Trump said Thursday. “On a clear night,

Veteran military pilot Matthew Buckley told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas that night vision goggles — if being worn at the time of the crash — may have hindered the pilot’s vision. Buckley said he doesn’t use night vision goggles when flying near cities because they have a tendency to “wash out” a pilot’s vision.