The spouse of a man from Connecticut, who lost his life in a tragic incident involving a passenger airplane and a military helicopter last month close to Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport, has initiated legal proceedings believed to mark the initial claims stemming from the catastrophe that claimed the lives of 67 individuals.
Rachel Crafton filed her claims on Tuesday against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army, seeking financial compensation of $250 million from each entity for their alleged roles in the fatal collision. According to her attorney, Robert Clifford, who is based in Chicago, the claims pertain to the untimely death of 40-year-old Casey Crafton, a resident of Salem, Connecticut.
The claims have been filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which stands as a necessary step before a lawsuit can be formally initiated. Should the FAA and Army decline to address the claims or fail to act within a six-month timeframe, Rachel Crafton may proceed to file a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court.
Clifford stated in an interview on Wednesday that the families involved are taking this action to begin the legal process against the FAA regarding its air traffic control practices and the operations of the Army helicopter involved. He mentioned that he represents additional families of victims affected by the crash.
The basis for the claims references publicly available statements made by federal officials regarding the incident, suggesting that understaffing at the air traffic control tower, deviations from authorized altitudes by the helicopter pilot, and lapses in communication between the aircraft and air traffic control contributed to the collision.
Additionally, Clifford has sent notifications to American Airlines, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Collins Aerospace, urging these entities to preserve relevant evidence related to the crash. In a response, the Army opted not to comment on the claims filed. Army spokesperson Major Montrell Russell emphasized the focus on support for bereaved families and the necessity to ensure safety for all involved.
The FAA also stated that it refrains from commenting on potential litigation as a matter of policy. The incident occurred on January 29 when American Airlines Flight 5342 was landing at Reagan National after a flight from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. Concurrently, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter was engaged in a training session with three soldiers on board when the two aircraft collided, resulting in a plunge into the Potomac River that tragically took the lives of everyone on both aircraft.
This incident marks the most deadly air crash in the United States since the 2001 event when a jet crashed into a neighborhood in New York City shortly after takeoff, resulting in 265 fatalities.
Initial investigations revealed that the Black Hawk may have reported incorrect altitude readings prior to the collision, and the crew may have missed critical instructions relayed from air traffic controllers. The collision occurred at a height just below 300 feet as the plane descended towards the helicopter, which was flying above the designated 200-foot altitude limit for that area.
Furthermore, Clifford pointed to an FAA report indicating that air traffic control staffing levels were “not normal” during the incident, with one controller tasked with managing both the helicopter traffic along with incoming and outgoing flights—a task typically handled by two separate controllers.
Casey Crafton, who was a technical support manager for an aviation consulting company, was returning home from a business trip when he perished in the crash. He and Rachel had three young sons aged 7, 10, and 12, and he was actively involved in coaching their soccer and baseball teams. Clifford remarked, “The family will forever mourn his loss, as their lives will never be the same. This incident entails intricate issues, and the family is entitled to clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding their loved one’s death.”
