The family of a passenger who perished in a tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., has initiated legal proceedings against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Army. They are seeking $250 million in compensation for each claim filed. This marks the beginning of what is anticipated to be a prolonged legal battle following the deadliest aviation incident in the United States over the past quarter-century.
The catastrophic event occurred on January 29, resulting in the loss of all 64 individuals aboard the American Airlines passenger jet and three servicemembers in a Blackhawk helicopter. Robert Clifford, the attorney representing the family of Casey Crafton, stated, "This was a disaster waiting to happen, and it just so happened that particular night. Everything came together to create this preventable tragedy. We want to get to the bottom of it, and this gets us going."
Casey Crafton, who was aboard the American Airlines regional jet, was returning from a business trip to his home in Salem, Connecticut. He lived there with his wife, Rachel, and their three young sons. Crafton was employed as a technical support manager at an aviation consulting firm and had studied aviation management at Bob Jones University. "Casey was an incredible human being. He was a giver, a loving husband, and father. He enjoyed coaching his boys on their youth soccer and little league baseball teams. They will be grieving him for the rest of their lives that will never be the same," Clifford remarked.
Clifford Law Offices has filed two forms under the Federal Tort Claims Act, bringing claims against both the FAA and the Army, each seeking $250 million. These claims were filed on behalf of Rachel Crafton, Casey's wife. Clifford noted that the $250 million figure is a ceiling for the claim, made out of an abundance of caution. "You can always go down, you cannot go up. And if you look at, you know, wrongful death claims across the country, it's not unheard of to have a number that high," he explained to ABC News. "You're talking about a father of three children and a loving wife. It's a substantial claim."
As the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is ongoing, the firm has not yet filed claims against American Airlines, PSA Airlines, Sikorsky Aircraft, or Collins Aerospace but has sent preservation letters to each. Clifford Law has also initiated an investigation into potential claims of willful neglect by airlines operating near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where the crash occurred.
The NTSB, leading the investigation, has not yet determined the cause of the collision. Clifford described the incident as preventable and alleged that airlines operating in and out of Washington, D.C., failed to take adequate precautions to protect passengers. With the pre-case claim against the FAA and Army filed, each entity has six months to respond. If there is no response within six months or if the claims are rejected, Clifford Law could proceed with filing lawsuits in federal court.
Spokespeople for the FAA and Army have declined to comment on potential litigation. "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," stated Army spokesperson Maj. Montrell Russell. "Our primary focus is on supporting the families and ensuring the safety of our Soldiers and the public."
