The victim’s family submits $ 250 million in legal applications against FAA, Army Over DC Aircraft Crash

A man’s wife in Connecticut who died Collision last month Between a jet of passengers and a military helicopter near Washington, Ronald Reagan National Airport has filed what is believed to be the first legal claims that the accident that He killed 67 people.

Rachel Crafton’s claims were filed on Tuesday against the Federal Aviation and US Army administration, each searching for $ 250 million for alleged offenses that led to Casey Crafton’s collision and death from Salem, Connecticut, according to her lawyer. , Robert Clifford.

The records were made under the federal law on cake requests and are a necessary precursor of a process. If the army and the army are rejecting or not acting on requests within six months, a civil process of wrong death can be filed in the federal court.

“Families do this to achieve their goal of taking the first step towards what the whole world knows that there will be any disputes against FAA for air traffic control and the American army in relation to helicopter operations,” Clifford said in a year. Interview on Wednesday.

Clifford, who said they represent other families of accident victims, said the statements are based on public comments made by federal officials, including alleged underestimation at the Air Traffic Control Tower, the flying helicopter pilot. Above 200 meters (61- meter) limit near the airport and trigger communication between air traffic control and aircraft.

Clifford also sent letters to American Airlines, Sikorsky Aircraft and Collins Aerospace, requesting that he keeps any evidence regarding the accident.

In a statement, the army refused to comment on Wednesday.

“Out of respect for the deceased, their families and the ongoing investigation, it is inadequate for the army to comment on any speculation regarding potential claims or disputes,” said the spokesman of the army, Maj. Montrell Russell. “Our main objective is to support families and ensure the safety of our soldiers and the public.”

FAA said on Wednesday that he does not comment on potential disputes.

On January 29, American Airlines Flight 5342 came from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while approaching Reagan National to land in a clear evening. At the same time, a black army, made by Sikorsky, was at a training exercise with three soldiers on board. The two aircraft collided and plunged into the Potomac river, killing everyone on board the jet and helicopter.

It was The most fatal plane crash in the US Since 2001, when a jet has slammed into a neighborhood in New York, immediately after take -off, killing all 260 people on board and five more on the field.

Investigators said the helicopter could have had Reads of unexacted altitude At times before the accident and the crew may not have heard key instructions from air traffic controllers. The collision probably took place at an altitude at only 91 meters (91 meters), while the plan descended to the helicopter, which was far beyond its 200 meters limit (61 meters) for that location.

Also, Clifford cited a FAA report that said that the air traffic control staff “is not normal” at the time of the accident. A air traffic controller was responsible for both the helicopter traffic coordination and the departure aircraft, when these duties are often divided between two controllers, the report shows. But the airport usually combines these roles at night when traffic begins to slow down.

Casey Crafton was a technical assistance manager for an aviation consulting firm returning from a business trip to Wichita when he died. He and Rachel Crafton had three young sons, between 7, 10 and 12 years old, and trained the football and baseball teams for youth.

“They will be sad for the rest of their life that will never be the same,” said Clifford. “This accident involves complex problems, and the family deserves answers to what happened to the loved one.”

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