The widow of Casey Crafton, one of the 67 people who perished when a U.S. Army helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342 in January, has filed a lawsuit against the airline, its regional carrier PSA Airlines, and the federal government. Rachel Crafton alleges that their collective negligence contributed to the tragic death of her husband.
The lawsuit, submitted to a federal court in Washington, D.C., accuses American Airlines and PSA Airlines of strategically manipulating the arrival rate system at Ronald Reagan National Airport, thereby increasing the frequency of planes maneuvering in and out of the facility. This action, Crafton argues, compromised air safety. Additionally, the suit targets the Army flight crew for navigating the Black Hawk helicopter at an unsafe altitude, and faults the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its failure to appropriately manage the airspace to prevent such a catastrophic encounter.
The incident, which involved a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk operating 100 feet above its authorized altitude, resulted in the aircraft colliding with Flight 5342. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the Black Hawk’s crew may have misjudged their altitude, leading to this tragic event. After the collision, the FAA reacted by suspending helicopter routes in the vicinity of Reagan Airport following an emergency NTSB recommendation.
While the investigation scrutinizes the Black Hawk’s flight path and the helicopter traffic around the airport, Crafton’s lawsuit contends that American Airlines and PSA Airlines also bear responsibility. The suit cites numerous near-miss incidents within the D.C. airspace prior to the collision, warning that the airlines ignored repeated alerts from their pilot association regarding the potential dangers.
American Airlines has expressed condolences to the affected families and has pledged continuous support to them. The airline, however, denies liability in the case, asserting its steadfast commitment to safety and its intention to defend itself legally. “American has a strong track record of putting the safety of our customers and team members above everything else,” stated the airline.
The Army, refraining from commenting on the ongoing litigation, emphasized its dedication to supporting the families and aiming to ensure the safety of soldiers and the public.
This lawsuit is likely to be the first in a series from other affected families seeking wrongful death and survival damages, potentially amounting to millions per victim. Legal experts, such as attorney Mike Nakamura, anticipate a robust defense from both the government and the airline, citing the government’s history of rigorously contesting such claims rather than opting for settlements. This case underlines a crucial examination of aviation safety and the measures required to prevent future tragedies.