US Acknowledges Responsibility for Chopper-Jet Collision Over Potomac River
In a significant development, the US government has acknowledged its liability for damages stemming from a tragic collision between an Army helicopter and a regional American Airlines Group Inc. jetliner earlier this year near Washington. This incident is noted as one of the deadliest aviation crashes in decades.
According to a court document filed by Justice Department lawyers, “The United States admits that it owed a duty of care to plaintiffs, which it breached, thereby proximately causing the tragic accident” that occurred on January 29, resulting in the loss of 67 lives.
The collision involved an American CRJ-700 jet and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as the plane was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia. Both aircraft tragically fell into the Potomac River. The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members on Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, while the helicopter was on a routine training mission with three personnel aboard. Families of the victims have initiated lawsuits against the government and American Airlines, along with its subsidiary, PSA Airlines.
CNN has reported on this significant filing by the Justice Department.
Robert Clifford, an attorney representing the wife of one of the passengers who lost their life in the crash, stated that the US Army has acknowledged its “responsibility for the needless loss of life,” along with the Federal Aviation Administration’s failure to adhere to air traffic control procedures. However, Clifford emphasized that the government was merely “one of several causes,” noting that American Airlines and PSA have sought to dismiss the complaints against them.
While American Airlines has refrained from commenting on the recent filing, they directed Bloomberg to their motion to dismiss the case. In this motion, the airline expressed sympathy for the plaintiffs’ desire for justice but asserted that “plaintiffs’ proper legal recourse is not against American. It is against the United States government.”
The FAA has referred inquiries to the Justice Department, which has not responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the US Army indicated that the military cannot provide further comments due to ongoing legal proceedings but looks forward to sharing the changes implemented once the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) completes its investigation and the legal matters are resolved.
In a statement on social media, the NTSB confirmed that its investigation into the midair collision is ongoing and will not be influenced by the civil litigation. “The NTSB’s safety investigation is independent, and its findings, probable cause, and recommendations will not be guided by DOJ determinations,” the agency stated in an X post.
This tragic collision has raised concerns about aviation safety, leading to several other incidents, including crashes and near misses. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration has enhanced safety measures at the busy Reagan airport and restricted non-essential helicopter operations.
The case is identified as Crafton vs. American Airlines, 25-cv-03382, in the US District Court for the District of Columbia (Washington).
Photo: A crane removes airplane wreckage from the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, in February. Photographer: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
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In a significant development, the US government has acknowledged its liability for damages stemming from a tragic collision between an Army helicopter and a regional American Airlines Group Inc. jetliner earlier this year near Washington. This incident is noted as one of the deadliest aviation crashes in decades.
According to a court document filed by Justice Department lawyers, “The United States admits that it owed a duty of care to plaintiffs, which it breached, thereby proximately causing the tragic accident” that occurred on January 29, resulting in the loss of 67 lives.
The collision involved an American CRJ-700 jet and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as the plane was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia. Both aircraft tragically fell into the Potomac River. The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members on Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, while the helicopter was on a routine training mission with three personnel aboard. Families of the victims have initiated lawsuits against the government and American Airlines, along with its subsidiary, PSA Airlines.
CNN has reported on this significant filing by the Justice Department.
Robert Clifford, an attorney representing the wife of one of the passengers who lost their life in the crash, stated that the US Army has acknowledged its “responsibility for the needless loss of life,” along with the Federal Aviation Administration’s failure to adhere to air traffic control procedures. However, Clifford emphasized that the government was merely “one of several causes,” noting that American Airlines and PSA have sought to dismiss the complaints against them.
While American Airlines has refrained from commenting on the recent filing, they directed Bloomberg to their motion to dismiss the case. In this motion, the airline expressed sympathy for the plaintiffs’ desire for justice but asserted that “plaintiffs’ proper legal recourse is not against American. It is against the United States government.”
The FAA has referred inquiries to the Justice Department, which has not responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the US Army indicated that the military cannot provide further comments due to ongoing legal proceedings but looks forward to sharing the changes implemented once the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) completes its investigation and the legal matters are resolved.
In a statement on social media, the NTSB confirmed that its investigation into the midair collision is ongoing and will not be influenced by the civil litigation. “The NTSB’s safety investigation is independent, and its findings, probable cause, and recommendations will not be guided by DOJ determinations,” the agency stated in an X post.
This tragic collision has raised concerns about aviation safety, leading to several other incidents, including crashes and near misses. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration has enhanced safety measures at the busy Reagan airport and restricted non-essential helicopter operations.
The case is identified as Crafton vs. American Airlines, 25-cv-03382, in the US District Court for the District of Columbia (Washington).
Photo: A crane removes airplane wreckage from the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, in February. Photographer: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
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