American Airlines and federal government face lawsuit over deadly DC midair collision

The family of one man who died in a midair plane crash over Washington, D.C., is suing the airlines involved and the federal government. Other mourning families are expected to follow suit.It's the latest fallout from the Jan. 29 accident, when a passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The crash killed 67 people -- the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in more than two decades. The lawsuit, filed by the widow of crash victim Casey Crafton, is the first that seeks to hold the U.S. Army, the Federal Aviation Administration, American Airlines, and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, accountable for those deaths. The complaint alleges that various safety failures caused or contributed to the tragedy. "Casey was betrayed by this system he trusted - we all were. As his wife, I cannot stand by and allow his life to be lost in vain," Rachel Crafton wrote in a statement, which was read aloud at a press conference announcing the lawsuit on Wednesday. "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," added Doug Lane, who lost his wife, Christine, and son, Spencer, in the accident. "We are here to see this process through, however long it takes, to ensure that our family members have a lasting legacy that makes the world safer for everyone who flies." The lawsuit states that the Army helicopter was flying above the mandatory altitude limits and alleges that air traffic control failed to issue safety alerts to the aircraft advising them to change course. It argues that the notoriously congested airspace around Reagan National Airport and the series of near misses before the crash should've prompted the defendants to exercise extreme vigilance. Instead, the lawsuit claims the airlines routinely packed flight schedules, further straining the system during peak travel times. It also alleges the airlines failed to adequately train pilots to handle heavy helicopter traffic. In a statement on Wednesday, American Airlines said that 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. 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 statement furthered.The FAA said the agency has "acted decisively" to make the skies over the nation's capital safer since the accident. "We will continue to work closely with the NTSB to ensure no family has to suffer this pain again," the statement continued. The National Transportation Safety Board's final report investigating the crash is expected to come out next year. A Pentagon spokesperson said it's policy not to comment on ongoing litigation. The lawsuit is seeking financial compensation, but the families are seeking policy changes through other avenues. Lane said they're working with members of Congress on air safety reforms. He said they've secured oversight investigations into the FAA and are continuing to demand a similar probe into the U.S. Army.

The family of one man who died in a midair plane crash over Washington, D.C., is suing the airlines involved and the federal government. Other mourning families are expected to follow suit.

It's the latest fallout from the Jan. 29 accident, when a passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The crash killed 67 people -- the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in more than two decades.

The lawsuit, filed by the widow of crash victim Casey Crafton, is the first that seeks to hold the U.S. Army, the Federal Aviation Administration, American Airlines, and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, accountable for those deaths. The complaint alleges that various safety failures caused or contributed to the tragedy.

"Casey was betrayed by this system he trusted - we all were. As his wife, I cannot stand by and allow his life to be lost in vain," Rachel Crafton wrote in a statement, which was read aloud at a press conference announcing the lawsuit on Wednesday.

"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," added Doug Lane, who lost his wife, Christine, and son, Spencer, in the accident. "We are here to see this process through, however long it takes, to ensure that our family members have a lasting legacy that makes the world safer for everyone who flies."

The lawsuit states that the Army helicopter was flying above the mandatory altitude limits and alleges that air traffic control failed to issue safety alerts to the aircraft advising them to change course.

It argues that the notoriously congested airspace around Reagan National Airport and the series of near misses before the crash should've prompted the defendants to exercise extreme vigilance.

Instead, the lawsuit claims the airlines routinely packed flight schedules, further straining the system during peak travel times. It also alleges the airlines failed to adequately train pilots to handle heavy helicopter traffic.

In a statement on Wednesday, American Airlines said that 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. 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 statement furthered.

The FAA said the agency has "acted decisively" to make the skies over the nation's capital safer since the accident.

"We will continue to work closely with the NTSB to ensure no family has to suffer this pain again," the statement continued.

The National Transportation Safety Board's final report investigating the crash is expected to come out next year.

A Pentagon spokesperson said it's policy not to comment on ongoing litigation.

The lawsuit is seeking financial compensation, but the families are seeking policy changes through other avenues. Lane said they're working with members of Congress on air safety reforms. He said they've secured oversight investigations into the FAA and are continuing to demand a similar probe into the U.S. Army.