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Posted on 12/17/2025 4:45:31 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army played a role in causing the collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk helicopter near the nation’s capital, killing 67 people.
The official response to the first lawsuit filed by one of the victims’ families said that the government is liable in the crash partly because the air traffic controller violated procedures about when to rely on pilots to maintain visual separation that night. Plus, the filing said, the Army helicopter pilots’ “failure to maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid” the airline jet makes the government liable.
But the filing suggested that others, including the pilots of the jet and the airlines, may have also played a role. The lawsuit also blamed American Airlines and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, for their roles in the crash, but those airlines have filed motions to dismiss.
At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the American Airlines regional jet while it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in northern Virginia, just across the river from the nation’s capital, officials said. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, and three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.
Robert Clifford, one of the attorneys for the family of victim Casey Crafton said the government admitted “the Army’s responsibility for the needless loss of life” and the FAA’s failure to follow air traffic control procedures while “rightfully” acknowledging others –- American Airlines and PSA Airlines -– also contributed to the deaths.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
DEI combined with DC haughtiness.
I’m sure the 67 lost souls and their families feel much better. Gawd….
I mean…. What can you say when a helo pilot flies her aircraft into a commercial airliner…. We’re sorry?!
Aviation ping..............
“…the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the American Airlines regional jet while it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport ..”
“ Apparently”
How stupid are these writers?
You blame “ the crew”
The system was NEVER designed for DEI, which is ROOT CAUSE of the crash. Had it been designed for DEI, there is no way that the helicopter pilot (the airhead babe) would have been permitted within 10 miles of a commercial jet. The only good thing to come of this example of DEI is that she won’t be crashing any more jets.
Why the hell were they training helicopter pilots near a major airport in the heart of a big metro area? The surrounding states of Virginia and Maryland abound with wide open spaces where pilots can be trained.
We all knew the govt was negligent right after the collision.
This is how govt works. Delay the ‘official’ verdict for a year so most people have already forgotten about the collision.
.
Bookmarking. I sense a “who’s the REAL aviator” chest puffing contest is imminent.
“played a role”?? WTH?
The word they are looking for is “caused.”
They train like that to practice for evacuating rhe Pres, VP etc from the WH in case of an emergency or National event. That’s what that crew was hired to do.
They are saying it now in response to the lawsuit filed.
‘Yeah, my bad. What are you going to do about it?’
Dumb beotch killed all those people and destroyed families in the process.
That's what happens when you don't have to earn your wings, when they are given out like DEI party favors.
Of course, you don’t know anything about her “earning her wings” at flight training.
Unless you have access to the accident investigation report.
Flying was a side job. The lesbian's main job was escorting guests to the dinner
table at the White House—Biden's White House. Look it up, cowboy.
You don’t have access to jack.
She “earned” her wings in flight school / training.
Either write with precision or get back in your lane.
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