Government Admits Responsibility in DCA Helicopter-Plane Crash, First Lawsuit Filed by victim’s Family
Washington D.C. - In a important progress regarding the tragic helicopter-plane collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in January, the U.S. government has admitted liability for its role in the accident that claimed the lives of eight individuals. This admission came as part of a court filing in a lawsuit brought by Rachel Crafton,widow of Casey Crafton,marking the first legal action filed by a family directly impacted by the devastating crash.
The January 2024 incident involved a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight, Flight 5342 operated by PSA Airlines. The collision sparked immediate investigations and raised serious questions about air traffic control procedures and safety protocols in the congested airspace surrounding the nation’s capital.
Government Acknowledges Breach of Duty of Care
Robert clifford, lead attorney representing the Crafton family, stated the government’s admission is a crucial step towards accountability. “The government has rightfully acknowledged the Army’s responsibility for the needless loss of life and the FAA’s failure to adhere to established air traffic control procedures,” Clifford said. He further emphasized the acknowledgement that American Airlines and PSA Airlines also contributed to the tragedy. ”The families remain deeply saddened and anchored in the grief caused by this tragic loss of life.”
The government’s legal filing explicitly states, “The United States admits that it owed a duty of care to plaintiffs, which it breached, thereby proximately causing the tragic accident.” This admission signals a willingness to address the systemic failures that contributed to the crash.
lawsuit Details Systemic Safety Concerns
the lawsuit, initially filed in September, alleges a pattern of negligence. It contends that the U.S. government,american Airlines,and PSA Airlines failed to adequately respond to numerous warning signs,including over 30 documented near-collisions in the vicinity of DCA.The complaint highlights a failure to mitigate risks associated with helicopter traffic operating in close proximity to fixed-wing aircraft, and insufficient pilot training to navigate these complex conditions.
American airlines, while declining to comment directly on the filing, has moved to dismiss itself from the lawsuit, arguing that the primary responsibility lies with the U.S. government. The airline maintains it has focused on providing support to the victims’ families as the accident.
NTSB Examination Reveals Contributing Factors
While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to release its comprehensive report early next year,preliminary findings have already illuminated several critical factors contributing to the crash. These include:
* Altitude Deviation: the army helicopter was operating 78 feet (24 meters) above the authorized 200-foot (61-meter) altitude limit on a designated route, severely reducing separation between the helicopter and approaching aircraft.
* FAA Oversight Failure: The FAA was aware of a significant number of near misses – a staggering 85 in the three years preceding the crash – yet failed to adequately address the escalating dangers around DCA.
* Over-Reliance on Visual Separation: Controllers at Reagan National had become overly dependent on pilots using visual separation to maintain safe distances, a practice the FAA has as discontinued. The NTSB investigation revealed controllers twice asked the helicopter pilots to confirm they had the approaching jet in sight, and the pilots responded affirmatively, requesting approval for visual separation.
* Night Vision Goggle Concerns: Witness testimony has raised concerns about the helicopter crew’s ability to effectively spot the approaching aircraft while utilizing night vision goggles, and whether they were scanning the correct airspace.
* Altimeter Discrepancy: Investigators discovered the helicopter’s barometric altimeter was reading 80-100 feet lower than the actual altitude recorded by the flight data recorder, possibly contributing to a misjudgment of the helicopter’s position.
Unusual Swiftness of Government Admission
The speed with which the government admitted some degree of responsibility – less than a year after the crash – is considered highly unusual, especially given the potential financial implications of the case.
Richard J. Levy, a retired pilot and aviation litigation expert, commented on the meaning of this admission. ”They would not have done that if there was a doubt in their mind about anything the controller did or that the Army did,” Levy stated, suggesting a strong internal assessment of culpability.
Remembering the Victims
The crash tragically claimed the lives of eight individuals: a talented group of young figure skaters,their dedicated parents and coaches returning from a competition in Wichita,Kansas,and four skilled union steamfitters from the Washington,D.C. area.The loss has deeply impacted the aviation community
