The first lawsuit has been filed against American Airlines and the US government over the deadly midair collision over Washington DC.
It names the airline and its affiliate PSA Airlines, the FAA and the US military as defendants.
Flight 5342 collided with a black hawk helicopter, killing all aboard both aircraft.
The lead plaintiffs are Rachel and Dailey Crafton, the wife and brother of victim Casey Crafton.
Other families also filed initial claim forms which allow them to sue the government, the first step in filing a lawsuit.
In a statement the Craftons described the crash an ‘avoidable tragedy caused by systematic failures and reckless disregard for safety.’
Sixty-seven people died in the accident in January.
“The defendants knew, or should have known, that AE 5342 was transiting one of the busiest airspaces in the United States, and they knew, or should have known, that the airport approaches presented certain safety risks, specifically including the possibility of a midair collision,” the lawsuit states.
“Pilots of both aircraft utterly failed in their responsibilities.”.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s final investigation report is expected in early 2026.
