DC plane crash: Victim’s family seeks $250 million in first legal action since deadly collision

A devastating midair collision over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on January 29 claimed the lives of 67 people, leaving families and communities in mourning. Among the victims was 40-year-old Casey Crafton, a loving husband, father of three, and dedicated aviation professional from Salem, Connecticut. His widow and children are now seeking justice and answers through a high-profile lawsuit filed by the Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices, a renowned aviation law firm. The lawsuit, which seeks $250 million in damages, was filed against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army, alleging negligence and systemic failures that led to the tragic crash.

Casey Crafton was more than just a victim of this disaster; he was a pillar of his family and community. A technical support manager at Guardian Jet, an aviation consulting firm, Casey was passionate about his work and had earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Bob Jones University. He was returning from a business trip in Wichita, Kansas, when the American Airlines Flight 5342 he was on collided with an Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Casey was also a devoted father who loved coaching his sons’ youth soccer and Little League baseball teams. His family described him as an incredible human being, a giver, and a loving husband whose absence has left an irreparable void in their lives. As attorney Bob Clifford stated, “They will be grieving him for the rest of their lives that will never be the same. The family deserves answers about what happened to their loved one.”

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Casey’s widow and children, is the first legal action stemming from the crash. It highlights critical issues with air traffic control staffing and communication at Washington-Reagan National Airport (DCA) on the night of the collision. According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the control tower at DCA was understaffed, with “not normal” staffing levels for the time of day and volume of traffic. The controller handling helicopters, including the Black Hawk, was also managing planes landing and departing from the airport’s runways—a task typically assigned to two controllers. This overload may have contributed to the deadly collision, as communication between the tower and Flight 5342 appears to have been compromised.

The crash has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Clifford Law Offices is pointing to years of understaffing at DCA’s air traffic control tower, which had only 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023—far below the 30 controllers the FAA and the controllers’ union deem necessary. While the FAA declined to comment on the pending litigation, internal reports reviewed by The New York Times confirm that staffing levels were inadequate. This negligence, the lawsuit alleges, created a dangerous environment that ultimately led to the loss of 67 lives. The victims included passengers and crew from both aircraft, as well as military personnel aboard the Black Hawk. Among them was the pilot of Flight 5342, whose grieving father has since criticized government air regulations as being “written in blood.”

The U.S. Army and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have also faced scrutiny following the crash. Hegseth called the incident “completely unacceptable” and assured the public that officials would “get to the bottom of what happened here.” He emphasized the importance of safe training exercises, acknowledging that a pause had been placed on the unit involved in the collision. However, the families of the victims are demanding more than just words—they are seeking transparency, accountability, and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future. The $250 million claim filed by Clifford Law Offices is not only about securing justice for Casey’s family but also about holding the government and military accountable for their roles in the disaster.

As the investigation continues, the crash has raised urgent questions about aviation safety and the need for improved regulations. The lawsuit underscores the human cost of systemic failures and the importance of ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. For Casey’s family, no amount of money can bring back their loved one, but they hope that their legal action will lead to meaningful changes that prevent other families from enduring similar pain. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the critical need for safety in our skies.