Rachel Crafton, left, wife of Casey Crafton, and Dailey Crafton, center, brother of Casey Crafton who perished on American Eagle flight 5342, are joined by Doug Lane, right, whose wife and son also died on the flight, prepare to talk with reporters Wednesday regarding a lawsuit over the Jan. 29, 2025, mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter.
Rod Lamkey/AP
In a tragic incident earlier this year, 60 passengers on an American Airlines regional jet lost their lives when the aircraft collided with a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.
Among those who perished was Casey Crafton. This week, his wife, Rachel Crafton, initiated the first wrongful death lawsuit connected to the incident.
“Casey was a devoted father and husband, and we built a beautiful life together,” Rachel Crafton noted in prepared remarks. “Our lives were shattered in a moment, and the grief has been unimaginable.”
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., lists American Airlines, PSA Airlines, and the federal government as defendants. It marks the beginning of what could be numerous similar legal actions.
The collision, which resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals, including crew members, is considered the most severe U.S. air traffic disaster in years. The crash occurred when the Army helicopter, on a nighttime training mission, collided with the descending jet at an altitude of 278 feet, sending both into the Potomac River.
In August, the National Transportation Safety Board conducted a detailed hearing to investigate the crash. Initial findings highlighted altimeter malfunctions in the Black Hawk as well as prior near misses at the airport.
Legal representatives for the victims’ families argue that American Airlines also bears responsibility. “The crash of American Eagle 5342 was predictable, it was preventable, and caused the needless loss of 67 lives on that fateful evening,” stated Robert Clifford, attorney for the Crafton family.
Clifford further claims that inadequate crew training on handling congested airspace near DCA and an emphasis on increasing flight numbers contributed to this “corporate negligence.”
In response, American Airlines defended its safety record. “American has a strong track record of putting the safety of our customers and team members above everything else,” a company statement read. “We continue to support the ongoing NTSB investigation and will defend American and PSA Airlines against any legal action claiming the airline caused or contributed to this accident.”
Many relatives of the crash victims attended the press conference to back the Crafton family’s legal efforts. Doug Lane, who lost his wife and son in the crash, voiced the collective resolve: “We are here to see this process through, however long it takes, to ensure that our family members have a lasting legacy that makes the world safer for everyone who flies.”
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
