Several Fatalities Confirmed After American Airlines Plane Collided With Helicopter over Potomac River Near Reagan National Airport in Washington DC
WASHINGTON D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (January 29, 2025) – Many people have tragically died after a mid-air American Airlines plane crash involving a US Army helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington DC.
DC police said that the incident took place around 8:53 PM just before the plane was supposed to land at 9:00 PM on Wednesday. American Airlines Flight 5342 was making its descent to Reagan National Airport when it hit a military helicopter.
The force of the impact caused a violent explosion that lit up the night sky over Washington DC. Apparently, the US Army Blackhawk helicopter involved in the crash was on a training flight at the time of the accident.
There were a total of 64 people aboard the American Airlines flight when it crashed. Several fatalities have been reported thus far, though the exact number of those who died or were injured remains unknown.
At the time of writing, 18 bodies have been removed from the Potomac River. Four people have also been removed from the river and taken to a local area hospital.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time. The attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek have extensive experience investigating and litigating plane crashes.
They represented the family of Carlos Berl who died in a plane crash during the production of American Made, starring Tom Cruise. This crash was entirely preventable and the result of unsafe working conditions and a failure to adhere to relevant safety protocols.
This American Airlines crash over Washington D.C. raises a number of similar safety concerns. Whether or not there was sufficient communication between air traffic control and the two aircraft involved is key among those concerns.
Had air traffic control diverted the paths of the helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342, this tragedy may have been averted.
Liability for Washington DC Plane Crashes
Commercial air travel is one of the safest forms of transportation. According to the International Air Transport Association, “The commercial aviation sector recorded an exceptionally safe year in 2023, surpassing a series of outstanding years from 2014 onwards. A total of 30 total accidents, were registered marking a decrease from previous years, but underscoring the ongoing need for continued diligence. Of those accidents, passenger flights were involved in 77% of cases.” Given the sheer number of passengers on commercial flights, accidents can be catastrophic when they do take place. There are a number of common causes of plane crashes.
- Pilot Error: Pilot error remains one of the leading causes of commercial plane crashes. This could include miscommunications or failing to take into account weather conditions.
- Mechanical Issues: Airplanes are large and complex mechanical systems. They require routine maintenance and inspections to ensure they fly safely. Any type of malfunction with the plane’s electrical system or structural defects could potentially cause a collision.
- Air Traffic Control: All commercial flights are guided during takeoff and landing by the air traffic control. If air traffic control fails to alert a landing aircraft of other planes in the vicinity, this could easily lead to a collision.
The takeoff and landing of every flight are when the vast majority of accidents take place. This is the most dangerous part of the flight. Pilots have a legal obligation to see and avoid any potential aircraft or helicopters that could enter their flight path. When a pilot fails to exercise due care and collides with another aircraft, the airline that they work for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties.
Liability for a plane crash could extend beyond any pilot for American Airlines or other companies. The federal government could also be liable for a mid-air collision. The federal government oversees the FAA, which manages all air traffic controllers. It is the responsibility of air traffic control to safely navigate commercial flights to and from the airport. They must alert pilots of any and all potential hazards in the skies and on the runway during a descent and takeoff. When air traffic control officials fail to do this, they could be liable for any resulting collision.
The company that made any aircraft or its component parts could also be held at fault. Companies have a legal obligation to create products that are reasonably safe and function as intended. For example, commercial aircraft come equipped with traffic collision avoidance systems (TCAS). These devices are an on-board radar system that can help pilots detect aircraft, usually up to 40 miles away. If a TCAS malfunctions, this could easily lead to a crash and result in liability on the manufacturer. It is important that certain steps are taken after any plane crash.
- All of the recovered debris from the aircraft involved should be preserved and carefully examined.
- The black box from the aircraft involved should be thoroughly reviewed.
- Any surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be collected.
- A thorough investigation into the accident should be conducted.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate most domestic plane crashes. Though these investigations cover a lot of ground, they are far from exhaustive. This is why it is so important for victims of commercial plane crashes to seek the guidance of an experienced aviation accident attorney. They can get to the bottom of what may have caused a crash. Unlike the FAA and NTSB, they will also do an exhaustive investigation into all potentially liable parties. The family member of any person killed in a plane crash may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Washington DC Plane Crashes
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to all of the families of this horrific tragedy with American Airlines Flight 5342. It is our sincere hope that all of the survivors on the plane and the US Army helicopter will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person with more information or footage of the collision should reach out to investigators.
Do you need more information about an American Airlines plane crash? Our team of aviation accident attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that airlines are held accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
