The January 29, 2025, midair collision near Washington, D.C. stands as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent U.S. history. American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people onboard.
Families File Lawsuits
Families of the victims are suing American Airlines, PSA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Army. The first case, filed by the widow of passenger Casey Crafton, calls the crash both predictable and preventable.
Warnings Ignored
The lawsuit accuses the airlines of ignoring repeated warnings about overcrowded and unsafe skies around Reagan National Airport. Plaintiffs argue that profit-driven choices led to more flights despite years of near misses in the same airspace.
Faults Beyond Airlines
The Army helicopter crew is accused of flying above its approved training altitude and failing to maintain safe separation. The FAA is also blamed for weak air traffic control, not issuing alerts, and operating a system under constant strain.
NTSB Preliminary Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has identified Army and FAA procedural failures, poor communication, and overloaded skies as key factors in the crash.
Fight for Accountability
For grieving families, the lawsuits are not only about compensation. They want accountability from an industry and government that, in their view, put expansion ahead of safety. Their loved ones boarded a routine flight, only to become victims of a preventable disaster.
