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Legal Claims Expected After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crash

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The collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 on January 29, 2025, has left families devastated and searching for answers. The mid-air crash, which occurred near Reagan National Airport, involved a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and claimed the lives of all 67 people aboard the two aircraft.

While the investigation is in the early stages, the crash was likely caused by the Army Black Hawk helicopter flying at an altitude of 300-350 feet, significantly higher than its 200-foot limit, while in the path of American Airlines Flight 5342 approaching Reagan National Airport. Despite air traffic control warnings and the helicopter crew's acknowledgment of visual separation from the airliner, the two aircraft collided.

If you have lost a family member in this incident, the aviation attorneys at Wisner Baum are here to help. Our experienced legal team offers free, confidential consultations to help you understand your rights and legal options. With decades of experience handling complex aviation disaster cases, we stand ready to support you through this difficult time.

Information on American Airlines Flight 5342 Crash in Washington D.C.

Latest Investigative Findings

Will There Be Lawsuits Stemming From This Crash?

American Airlines Crash Attorneys Comment on Fatal Mid-Air Collision

American Airlines Flight 5342 Victims Identified

American Airlines Crash Lawyers: Wisner Baum's Experience

Contact Wisner Baum for a Free Consultation

Latest Investigation Findings

Recent developments from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation have shed light on the potential causes of this catastrophic collision:

Altitude Discrepancy: Preliminary data suggests that the collision likely occurred at an altitude of approximately 325 feet. This is significantly higher than the 200-foot limit imposed on helicopters in that area.

Night Vision Goggles: While it has been confirmed that the crew had night vision goggles in the aircraft at the time, concern that the helicopter pilots were wearing night vision goggles is increasing. Night vision goggles significanly reduce the field of view for the pilots and give them a monochromatic picture of the area they are looking at. In addition, amplification of the available light, including lights from approaching aircraft, could distort the helicopter pilot’s understanding of the environment and could have led to confusion about which aircraft was the approaching CRJ.

Air Traffic Control Concerns: At the time of the crash, a single air traffic controller was managing both aircraft, a situation described as "not normal" for that time of day at Reagan National Airport.

Warning Systems: The investigation has revealed that air traffic control issued two warnings to the helicopter crew about the approaching PSA jet, with the first alert coming a few minutes before the collision. Additionally, the crew of Flight 5342 received an automated traffic advisory alert from their Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) approximately 16-19 seconds before the collision. The advisory did not include a resolution advisory due to the airliner’s low altitude.

Final Moments: Flight recorder data indicates that the PSA jet pitched up about one second before impact, though investigators have not confirmed if this was an attempted evasive maneuver.

Will There be Lawsuits Stemming From This Crash?

Yes, we believe lawsuits are likely as this incident was preventable. As the investigation progresses, potential legal issues that could be involved:

Multiple Parties: Given the complexity of the incident, liability may extend to various parties, including air traffic control services, government entities, and more.

Venue Considerations: The crash location (Virginia vs. Washington D.C. side of the Potomac) and residences of victims may influence where cases are filed.

Wrongful Death Claims: Families of the victims may pursue wrongful death lawsuits against the responsible parties. These claims could focus on negligence against more than one defendant, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Government Liability: The involvement of a military helicopter raises questions about potential government liability. Claims against federal entities require a specific process, including a six-month notice period before litigation can begin.

Timeline: Resolution could take 2-3 years or longer, depending on case complexity.

American Airlines Crash Attorneys Comment on Fatal Mid-Air Collision

Wisner Baum has litigated cases against every major U.S. airline, including American Airlines. The firm’s top aviation attorney, Tim Loranger, has made nearly a dozen media appearances to discuss the American 5342 crash, including television appearances on Fox, NBC, AP, and more. Loranger emphasized the complexities of mid-air collision cases involving both commercial and military aircraft.

"Incidents like this raise serious questions about air traffic control coordination, pilot communications, and potential negligence," Loranger said. "Determining the cause of this tragedy requires a thorough investigation into every aspect of the incident. The investigation will focus on both the human and the mechanical aspects of the incident and key questions will revolve around how traffic is controlled in this busy airspace, whether the aircraft were properly separated, and what the pilots of the aircraft knew about their proximity to one another."

Air Traffic Control at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

In his comments to Fox News, attorney Tim Loranger said air traffic control will be a point of emphasis in the crash investigation. While the cause of the American crash remains under investigation, media reporting indicates that an air traffic controller was tasked with handling the job of two people after a person left work early. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, staffing levels were “not normal” when the mid-air collision occurred.

“It's certainly an important consideration, making sure that our air traffic control towers and control centers are fully staffed and able to handle an airport like DCA…The FAA says that one controller handling both the aircraft and helicopters is within the regulations, but this was abnormal, which means that it wasn't optimal.

“Other air traffic control questions, aside from personnel, is what instructions were given to the pilot? This is a very complicated situation. There's a lot to look into. It's very early to come to conclusions, and at the end of the day, what's important is that we learn what happened, and then we do everything we can to avoid it from happening again.”

Watch attorney Tim Loranger discuss the American Airlines mid-air collision with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on Fox News

Is Reagan Airport Safe to Fly?

Due in large part to high air traffic congestion, DCA is reportedly known for a lot of near misses.

“I have friends and colleagues who are pilots who have flown many times into DCA, and they have shared their concerns about it,” Loranger told Fox News.

“It's an approach that is unique from other airports in that pilots are required to fly relatively low on the approach, which, the lower you are, the less opportunity you have to fix things that go wrong, and it can be stressful.”

“It’s very important that the FAA analyze the airport and ensure it is not beyond its capacity. And if there are steps that the FAA can take to make the airport safer, to add additional air traffic controllers, or to maybe even decide that it shouldn't handle as much traffic, those decisions have to be made as people's lives depend on its safety.”

American Airlines Flight 5342 Victims Identified

The mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft. The victims included figure skaters, coaches, parents, and military personnel. Many were returning from a figure skating training camp following the 2025 U.S. Championships in Wichita. Authorities have identified the following people:

  • Evgenia Shishkova (52) and Vadim Naumov (55): Former world champion figure skaters and married coaches.
  • Spencer Lane (16) and Christine Lane: A young figure skater and his mother.
  • Jinna Han (13) and Jin Han: A figure skater and her mother.
  • Brielle Beyer (12): A young figure skater.
  • Alexandr Kirsanov: A coach of two youth ice skaters on board.
  • Ian Epstein: A flight attendant on the American Airlines flight.
  • Ryan O'Hara: One of the three Army soldiers on the Black Hawk helicopter, leaving behind a wife and one-year-old son.
  • Michael Stovall: A passenger who was returning from a duck hunting trip.
  • Jesse Pitcher (30): A recently married passenger.
  • Roger, Cory, and Stephanie Haynos: A family returning from the U.S. Ice Skating Championships.
  • Inna Volyanskaya: A coach at Ashburn Ice House in Virginia.

American Airlines Crash Lawyers: Wisner Baum's Experience

For decades, Wisner Baum has stood at the forefront of aviation disaster litigation, establishing an unparalleled track record of success in representing victims and their families. Since 1985, our firm has successfully handled cases against every major U.S. airline involved in crashes, including numerous lawsuits against American Airlines.

Our distinguished track record includes:

  • Over 150 aviation cases settled for $1 million or more.
  • Representation of more than 800 passengers, crew, and victims across six continents and 29 countries.
  • Recognition as the first U.S. law firm to secure a public apology from an airline following a crash.

This extensive experience positions us uniquely to handle the complex legal challenges that arise from commercial airline disasters. Our team of attorneys combines deep technical knowledge of aviation systems with sophisticated legal expertise to thoroughly investigate crashes and establish liability.

Contact Wisner Baum for a Free Consultation

If your family has been affected by the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash, contact Wisner Baum for a free, confidential consultation. Our aviation accident attorneys have the experience, resources, and dedication to help you pursue justice and fair compensation.

Call us at (855) 948-5098 or complete our online contact form to speak with an experienced aviation accident lawyer. Our team is available at your convenience to answer your questions and provide the guidance you need during this challenging time.

Note: This is a developing situation, and details may change as the investigation progresses. This information is based on initial reports from federal aviation authorities and law enforcement sources