Families Sue American Airlines and U.S. Government After Flight 5342 Collision
The families of passengers killed in the mid-air collision of Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., announced a lawsuit against American Airlines and the U.S. government.
Among the victims were Rachel and Dailey Crafton, relatives of Casey Crafton from Connecticut, and Doug Lane, who lost his wife, Christine, and son, Spencer, from Rhode Island. The lawsuit is the first approved after filing a required claim against the federal government, with other families expected to follow.
Dailey Crafton condemned the incident as an “avoidable tragedy” due to “systematic failures and reckless disregard for safety.” He expressed the burden of raising their children alone, emphasizing the need for accountability in the aviation system.
Doug Lane highlighted the collaborative effort of over 120 affected families in advocating for accountability from the FAA, the U.S. Army, and the airline. He drew a parallel to ongoing safety risks at airports and criticized American Airlines for not addressing recurring close calls.
Sixty-seven lives were lost in the January 29 incident. American Airlines responded to the lawsuit, stating their ongoing support for families, their commitment to aviation safety, and their cooperation with the NTSB investigation, while denying any responsibility for the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing, and American Airlines continues to defend against any claims of liability.