The family of Casey Crafton, one of the 67 victims of a tragic mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, has filed a lawsuit against several parties, alleging negligence that led to the fatal crash. This lawsuit is the first federal case tied to the incident, which occurred on January 29th near Reagan National Airport, claiming the lives of 67 individuals, including Crafton, a 40-year-old aviation professional traveling home from a business trip in Wichita.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, names American Airlines, its subsidiary PSA Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Army as defendants. The complaint claims these entities failed to implement necessary safety policies and procedures in one of America’s busiest airspaces, leading to the collision.
American Airlines, while asserting its strong commitment to safety and cooperation with ongoing investigations, plans to defend against the allegations. The FAA and Army were unavailable for immediate comment.
The Crafton family’s legal team contends that the parties should have been aware of potential safety risks, including the possibility of a mid-air collision, given the congested traffic around Reagan National Airport. The suit further claims the airline’s operational decisions and the controller’s instructions on the aircraft’s landing approach may have exacerbated the situation.
Rachel Crafton, Casey’s widow, expressed her motivation for the lawsuit: ensuring accountability and preventing future tragedies. She highlighted Casey’s dedication to safety in aviation, feeling let down by systemic failures that led to his and others’ untimely demise.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively investigating the crash. Recent hearings and document releases reveal longstanding concerns from air traffic controllers about airport traffic management, with specific mentions of American Airlines contributing to the high traffic volume through its scheduling practices.
In response to the crash, the FAA has reduced hourly arrival rates and made changes to helicopter routes to improve safety near the airport. A definitive report from NTSB on the collision’s cause is anticipated next year.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, compensatory damages, and other appropriate relief from the court. It emphasizes the collective failures of the involved parties and their contribution to the tragic event, aiming for systemic improvements to protect future passengers.