Families file first federal suit after D.C. midair crash
Rachel Crafton, wife of victim Casey Crafton, filed the first federal wrongful-death suit this week on behalf of his estate, naming American Airlines, regional carrier PSA Airlines and the U.S. government (including the FAA and U.S. Army) after the Jan. 29 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 64 people aboard the American Eagle jet and three on the Army Black Hawk. The complaint alleges operational and training negligence and air‑traffic control/oversight failures, cites NTSB findings of Black Hawk altimeter problems and prior near‑misses and says both aircraft struck the Potomac after colliding at about 278 feet; families have filed Form 95 administrative claims and expect consolidated litigation.
📰 Sources (2)
- Plaintiff identified as Rachel Crafton (wife of victim Casey Crafton) and she is the first family member to file a wrongful-death suit.
- The complaint names American Airlines and PSA Airlines and the U.S. federal government as defendants.
- Attorney Robert Clifford publicly argued the airline failed to train crews adequately and sought to maximize flights, a quoted legal claim at the press conference.
- Article reiterates NTSB findings cited at the August hearing: Black Hawk altimeter problems and numerous preexisting near-misses; provides collision altitude (278 feet) and that both aircraft struck the Potomac River.
- A federal civil lawsuit was filed this week on behalf of Casey Crafton’s estate; family members held a Wednesday news conference announcing the action.
- The complaint names American Airlines and PSA Airlines for alleged operational and training negligence and also targets the U.S. government (FAA and U.S. Army) for oversight and air‑traffic control failures.
- The Jan. 29 collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involved an American Eagle passenger aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing 64 passengers/crew on the airliner and 3 on the helicopter (67 total); families have filed Form 95 administrative claims and anticipate consolidated litigation.