Lawsuit filed by crash victim's family against American Airlines and federal government.

The family of a passenger who tragically lost his life in the midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport in January has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines and the federal government for wrongful death and negligence. This lawsuit seems to be the first federal legal action seeking damages for the incident, which was the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. in years. The legal claim alleges that the defendants, American Airlines and the federal government, failed in their duty to ensure the safety of the public by not exercising proper vigilance during the operation and control of aircraft near Reagan National Airport. The collision involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight when they were just seconds away from landing at National Airport, resulting in the loss of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft. Rachel Crafton, the widow of Casey Crafton who was on the passenger flight, initiated the lawsuit to seek compensation for funeral costs and emotional distress. While the Department of Justice refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate expressed sympathy for the families affected by the tragedy and reassured that a fair resolution would be pursued. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation into the incident and will publish its final report next year, indicating that the Army helicopter was flying at an improper altitude. The family's lawsuit, spanning 115 pages, points out several errors and negligence on the part of the government and American Airlines which they deem accountable for the crash. American Airlines confirmed they would defend themselves against any charges alleging they caused or contributed to the accident, emphasizing the commitment to safety standards and protocols that govern the aviation industry.