The family of Casey Crafton, who died in a mid-air collision in January near Washington DC, has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, regional operator
PSA Airlines, and the federal government. The suit, filed on Wednesday, claims wrongful death and negligence following the collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle flight 5342 over the Potomac River, which killed 67 people, as per CNN report.
Allegations Against Airlines
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants knew or should have known that flight 5342 was passing through one of the busiest airspaces in the US and that the airport approaches presented serious safety risks, including the possibility of a midair collision.
It claims the Army helicopter flew too high, and pilots of both aircraft failed to see and avoid each other.
The suit further accuses American Airlines of manipulating the arrival rate system to allow more flights per hour, despite knowing that this reduced safety margins. It also points to the passenger jet pilots’ decision to land on runway 33, described as a “more difficult” runway, instead of their original plan for runway 1.
American Airlines’ Response
American Airlines said it continues to mourn the lives lost but stated the blame rests with the military. The airline said, “Flight 5342 was on a routine approach to DCA when the Army helicopter, above the published helicopter route altitude, collided with it. We support the ongoing NTSB investigation and will defend against legal claims alleging the airline caused or contributed to the accident.”
Family Statement
Rachel Crafton, Casey’s wife, described her husband as a devoted father and husband. She said, “Our lives were shattered in a moment, and the grief has been unimaginable. The future we dreamed about was taken away from us.”
Casey had a long career in aviation as a mechanic and technical service manager, and Rachel said, “Casey was betrayed by this system he trusted. We are taking legal action to ensure this never happens again.”
The family of first officer Sam Lilley said they are not participating in the lawsuit, emphasizing that each family has the right to choose their own path while uniting to prevent future tragedies.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not yet determined the probable cause of the collision. A final report is expected when the investigation concludes in January.
