WASHINGTON — A Connecticut widow filed a federal lawsuit related to the Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle flight 5342 midair collision that killed 67 people on Jan. 29.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation was ongoing on Thursday.
Attorneys representing Rachel Crafton filed the 115-page wrongful death and negligence lawsuit on Wednesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., against American Airlines, PSA Airlines, and the federal government.
Crafton’s 40-year-old husband, Casey Crafton, and the father of their three sons, aged 7, 10, and 12, died while on American Eagle flight 5342.
Crafton’s lawsuit alleged American Airlines and PSA Airlines “manipulated and abused the arrival rate system” at Ronald Reagan National Airport to enable more landings.
“The Department will pursue a just resolution of this matter that follows the facts, the law, and provides fair compensation to the victims of this tragedy,” Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said in a statement.
A spokesperson for American Airlines released a statement:
“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.”
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