The first of many expected wrongful death lawsuits following the January plane crash at Ronald Reagan National Airport was filed in court earlier this week.
Rachel Crafton, the wife of Casey Crafton, one of the crash victims, is suing American Airlines, PSA Airlines, the flight operator and the U.S. government, according to a copy of the lawsuit reviewed by USA TODAY, which was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
In prepared remarks, she called her late husband a devoted father, partner and employee who had a career in the aviation industry.
“The world was a better place because he was in it,” she said, adding, “Because of this avoidable tragedy, my young sons and I have to go through life without the love, support, guidance and laughter Casey gave to us on a daily basis.”
Crafton continued: “I’m left to raise our sons alone, and these days, weeks, and months have been unbearable as grief weighs heavily over every moment that should be a celebration with Casey.”
Details of the crash
On the evening of Jan. 29, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River as it made its descent into DCA airport. All 67 people aboard both aircraft were killed as the plane and helicopter collapsed into the river below.
It was the deadliest U.S. aviation incident in decades.
What does the lawsuit claim?
The lawsuit claims the airlines should have known the risks of flying into the airport, which had previously been considered one of the most dangerous in the country due to the high volume of military air traffic in the area.
In its preliminary report, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed the airport had experienced over 15,000 near misses between October 2021 and December 2024 involving helicopters and commercial airplanes. The agency is still investigating the disaster and hosted a series of hearings on the matter over the summer.
“The defendants were required to exercise vigilance when operating and/or controlling aircraft in the vicinity of Reagan National Airport. These defendants, however, utterly failed in their responsibilities to the traveling public,” the lawsuit states.
Speaking during a news conference on Sept. 24 about the lawsuit, Robert Clifford, an attorney representing Crafton, said the case focuses on the conduct of the pilots that night. He added that attorneys have consulted with aviation experts who “have things to say about the performance of the pilots that night that could’ve prevented this disaster.”
According to Clifford, he expects about 60 lawsuits to be filed against the entities in the near future.
Attorney Bob Clifford speaks during a press conference announcing a lawsuit against the airline and federal government for the death of Casey Crafton during the deadly midair collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on Sept. 24, 2025.
Brian Alexander, an attorney who is representing the victims, said he formerly served as an Army aviator assigned to the same unit involved in the crash.
“It is deeply distressing to me that this occurred, and the conduct of the helicopter crew was so inexcusable,” he noted.
The lawsuit further alleges that the airlines manipulated and abused the arrival rate system at DCA airport to force more arrivals per hour, despite knowing that doing so would reduce safety margins.
The complaint also claims that the Army flight crew failed to operate the Blackhawk helicopter at or below the mandatory altitude of 200 feet, and that the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic controllers failed in their two most important duties: separating aircraft in airspace and issuing safety alerts when aircraft are in proximity.
What have the defendants said?
In a joint statement, the airlines said: “The American and PSA families continue to mourn the lives lost in the tragic accident involving Flight 5342.”
“Our priority since Jan. 29 has been supporting the families and loved ones of our passengers and crew members, including immediately deploying our CARE Team the night of the accident and establishing the Office of Continued Care and Outreach a week later,” the statement reads. “This longer-term support continues today.”
The joint statement continues: “As the recent NTSB investigative hearing showed, Flight 5342 was on a routine approach to DCA when the Army helicopter — that was above the published helicopter route altitude — collided with it.”
“American has a strong track record of putting the safety of our customers and team members above everything else,” the statement says. “We continue to support the ongoing NTSB investigation and will defend American and PSA Airlines against any legal action claiming the airline caused or contributed to this accident.”
The FAA said: “Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones on that tragic January evening … We will continue to work closely with the NTSB to ensure no family has to suffer this pain again.”
What has the FAA done since the incident?
Since the accident, the FAA has established procedures to eliminate mixed traffic of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft near the airport, permanently closed helicopter Route 4 between Hains Point and Wilson Bridge, and eliminated the use of visual separation within 5 miles of the airport, among other measures.
Who were the victims?
Almost half the people aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 were families returning from a figure skating competition in Wichita, Kansas.
During the news conference on Sept. 24, Doug Lane, the father of Spencer Seojin Lane, one of the figure skaters aboard the flight, said he attended the event in solidarity with the Crafton family.
Family members hold photos of American Airlines Flight 5342 crash victims during a press conference announcing a lawsuit against the airline and federal government for the death of Casey Crafton, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on Sept. 24, 2025.
“Over 120 of us that were affected by this tragedy have banded together to become something both beautiful and powerful,” he said. “We support each other through birthdays, anniversaries, holidays (and) weddings that were planned but never held.”
He continued: “Little League and figure skating seasons have started with missing coaches, missing competitors and missing parents in the stands.”
Speaking on behalf of the families, Lane said the group is ready to take the case to court.
“Nothing will help our healing process more than seeing the negligence, bureaucracy run amok and the instances of putting corporate profits over public safety on full display,” he said.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Widow of DCA plane crash victim sues airlines, US government