The family of Casey Crafton, one of the 67 victims of last month’s deadly plane crash near Washington, D.C., has filed a $250 million claim against the U.S. government, alleging negligence by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army.
Crafton, 40, of Salem, Connecticut, was aboard an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29. The crash killed all 64 passengers and crew members on the commercial jet, as well as three military personnel aboard the helicopter.
Filed by Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices, the claim is the first step under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows lawsuits against the government for wrongful death, personal injury, or property loss. The family seeks $50 million for personal injury and $200 million for wrongful death.
“Casey was an incredible human being, a devoted husband, and a loving father,” said attorney Robert Clifford. “His children will grieve him for the rest of their lives.”
The collision occurred as the American Airlines jet was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Black Hawk, on a routine training mission, was reportedly flying above its maximum altitude when the two aircraft plummeted into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The crash marked the first fatal U.S. commercial airline disaster since 2009.
The government has six months to respond to the claim. If denied or unanswered, the family can proceed with a federal lawsuit.
Clifford also sent legal notices to American Airlines and other aviation-related entities demanding they preserve all evidence for a potential lawsuit. He pointed to longstanding concerns about air traffic congestion near Reagan National, where military and commercial aircraft frequently share airspace.
“There have been known issues with congestion at that airport,” Clifford said. “It’s our intention to seek full transparency from all involved parties regarding the cause of this crash.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the incident, with preliminary findings expected within 30 days of the crash. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has cited potential missed radio communications and unauthorized altitude as possible contributing factors. The final report could take up to two years.
“I don’t know what caused this crash yet,” Clifford added. “But I do know this: the 67 souls lost didn’t cause it, and their families didn’t deserve it.”
The D.C. tragedy was the first in a series of recent aviation disasters, including a Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia that killed seven, an Alaska commuter plane accident that left 10 dead, and a Delta regional jet incident in Toronto that injured 18.
