Following the tragic mid-air collision on January 29th involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River, a prominent aviation law firm has initiated legal proceedings. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the wife and three children of Casey Crafton, seeks $250 million in damages. Crafton, a 40-year-old technical support manager at Guardian Jet, was returning from a business trip when the incident occurred, claiming the lives of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft.
Attorney Bob Clifford, representing the family, emphasized the devastating impact of the loss, stating, "Casey was an exceptional individual, a devoted husband and father. His family deserves a comprehensive understanding of the events that led to this tragedy." The lawsuit specifically targets the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army, which operated the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision. It cites a National Transportation Safety Board report indicating irregularities in staffing and communication within the control tower at Washington-Reagan National Airport (DCA) at the time of the accident.
Casey Crafton is survived by his wife and three sons. (Clifford Law Offices)
In addition to the claims against the government, the legal team has filed for the preservation of evidence related to the crash. Reports suggest that the air traffic controller responsible for helicopters on the evening of the incident was also managing arriving and departing aircraft, tasks typically handled by two controllers. Furthermore, it has been noted that the DCA control tower has been operating below its target staffing levels for a considerable period. While the FAA declined to comment on the pending litigation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously affirmed the commitment to a thorough investigation, emphasizing the importance of safe training practices and the unacceptability of such incidents.
Map illustrating the location of the January 29th D.C. plane-helicopter collision.
Recovery efforts underway in the Potomac River following the collision. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)
