The family of Casey Crafton, one of the victims of the January 29 midair collision near Washington, D.C., has filed wrongful death claims against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army, seeking $250 million in damages from each entity.
The claims mark the first legal action stemming from the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in 25 years, which killed 67 people aboard an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter.
The filings, submitted under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), accuse the FAA and Army of negligence in preventing the collision.
Robert Clifford, founder of Clifford Law Offices, which represents Crafton’s widow Rachel Crafton, described the crash as “a disaster waiting to happen.”
“We want to get to the bottom of it, and this gets us going,” Clifford told reporters.
Fatal Collision Raises Liability Concerns
Casey Crafton, a technical support manager for an aviation consulting firm, was returning home to Salem, Connecticut, after a business trip when the tragedy occurred. He left behind his wife and three young sons.
“Casey was an incredible human being. He was a giver, a loving husband and father. His family will be grieving him for the rest of their lives,” Clifford added.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still investigating the cause of the collision, which occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
However, Clifford suggested that “sufficient precautions were not taken” to ensure passenger safety in the heavily trafficked airspace.
Legal Strategy and Potential Lawsuits
The $250 million claims filed against the FAA and Army act as a legal prerequisite before a federal lawsuit can be pursued.
The agencies have six months to respond. If they reject the claims or fail to respond within that timeframe, Clifford Law Offices can formally file suit in federal court.
The firm has not yet filed claims against American Airlines, PSA Airlines, Sikorsky Aircraft, or Collins Aerospace, though it has issued preservation letters to those entities as it awaits further details from the NTSB.
Additionally, the firm has launched an investigation into potential claims of willful neglect by airlines operating near Reagan National, raising questions about whether air traffic procedures contributed to the preventable catastrophe.
FAA and Army Decline to Comment
The FAA and Army declined to address the legal claims directly, citing the ongoing investigation.
“Out of respect for the deceased, their families, and the ongoing investigation, it is inappropriate for the Army to comment on any speculation regarding claims or potential litigation,” said Maj. Montrell Russell, an Army spokesperson.
With aviation safety under renewed scrutiny, the legal battle over liability in the DC plane crash is expected to be long and complex, potentially reshaping regulations on airspace management near major metropolitan airports.
