Family of DC plane crash victim files $250 million claim against government
The family of one of the 67 people killed last month when a military helicopter crashed into a passenger jet outside Washington filed $250 million in claims against the U.S. government on Tuesday.
The claims were filed against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army, which was operating the Black Hawk helicopter, by the family of Casey Crafton, according to a news release from the Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices.
Crafton, 40, of Salem, Connecticut, worked for an aviation consulting firm and was returning from a work trip on the American Airlines plane from Wichita, Kansas. He left behind his wife of 16 years, Rachel, and three young sons.
“Casey was an incredible human being. He was a giver. He was 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," attorney Robert Clifford said.
The plane was about to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport the evening of Jan. 29 when it collided with the helicopter, which was operating on a routine training mission. Both aircraft plummeted into the icy waters of the Potomac River below, killing the 64 people on board the plane and three on the helicopter. It was the first fatal crash of a commercial plane in the U.S. since 2009.
Family seeks $250 million for wrongful death, personal injury
The claims filed Tuesday are the first step in a process outlined by the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows people to sue the federal government for injury, death or property loss. They listed $50 million for personal injury and $200 million for wrongful death.
The FAA cannot comment on potential litigation, spokesperson Jillian Angeline said in an email. Army spokesperson Maj. Montrell Russell also said the Army would not comment on the claim.
"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. Our primary focus is on supporting the families and ensuring the safety of our Soldiers and the public," Russell said.
The government now has six months to respond to the claims. If the government either denies the claims or does not respond, Clifford said the family can file lawsuits in federal court.
Clifford also said he issued letters to American Airlines and other aircraft corporations linked to the crash demanding that they preserve all evidence related to the investigation while the family considers its legal options against the companies.
"It's been known for some time that there are major congestion problems between the commercial aircraft at that airport and the military aircraft," Clifford said, adding that the airline was aware of these issues. "It's our intention to fully seek information by all the participants in the cause of this crash."
What's the latest on DC plane crash investigation?
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the cause of the Jan. 29 plane crash, the first in a series of major aviation disasters in the U.S. so far this year. Officials have yet to release their preliminary report on the crash, but said the on-scene portion of the investigation was finished.
NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy pointed to potential missed radio communication to the helicopter and its possible flight above maximum altitude as contributing factors in the latest update on Friday. The NTSB has said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the incident, but a final report would take one to two years.
"I'm not sure, as anyone is, what the exact cause of this crash was, but I know this: Those souls that perished in this crash, the preventable crash, they didn't cause it, and their families didn't cause it," Clifford said.
Days after the Washington collision, another crash in Philadelphia of a medevac jet killed seven people and injured more than 20 others. Earlier this month, a small commuter plane went missing in Alaska and was found crashed amid sea ice with all 10 on board killed. On Monday, a Delta regional jet that originated in Minneapolis crashed and overturned upon arrival at Canada's Toronto Pearson International Airport, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board.
(This story was updated to add new information.)