If you lost a loved one, you could bring negligent parties to justice.
In the deadliest aviation collision since 2001, an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. on January 29, 2025. There were no survivors. The Potomac plane crash has led to the loss of more than 60 people, including several teenagers and their parents. Americans across the country mourn for the families of these victims while an investigation into the incident is underway. However, new evidence revealed may suggest negligence was at play in this tragic collision.
If your loved one died in the Potomac plane crash, you could be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim against those liable. Our wrongful death attorneys are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this collision and are here to help you obtain justice.
What Happened During the Potomac Plane Crash?
Around 9:00 p.m. on January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing for landing at Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport. According to reports, air traffic controllers requested the pilot of the passenger jet use a different runway. As the pilot reconfigured its landing trajectory to the new runway, air traffic controllers asked the Black Hawk helicopter pilot if it had eyes on the jet. The helicopter carrying three U.S. Army soldiers was on a training exercise over the Potomac River. The helicopter pilot affirmed that it could see the jet, as the weather was clear. The air traffic controller asked the helicopter to wait for the jet to pass but received no reply.
Seconds later, the helicopter and jet collided mid-air, raining debris into the river. All passengers aboard the jet and the helicopter died in the crash. So far, investigators have pulled 40 bodies from the river.
Who Were the Victims?
The passenger jet was transporting numerous members of the Skating Club of Boston, including Jinna Han and Spencer Lane; their mothers; and their award-winning Russian-born coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Also among the victims were students and parents from Fairfax County schools, a group of hunters, steamfitters, and two Chinese visitors.
The loss of not just adults, but children, in this tragedy is heart wrenching.
Abnormal Staffing
Though the investigation is still ongoing, rumors have begun to fly identifying potential causes of the plane crash over the Potomac. Among the most popular are explanations that this tragedy occurred because of understaffing in the air traffic control tower. Records indicate that only one person was responsible for air traffic for both airplanes and helicopters than night, leaving many wondering why so much pressure would be on a single individual when usually there are two air traffic controllers.
Lax Safety Oversight
Other sources claim that perhaps the collision occurred due to massive upheaval in the aviation safety space over the past week. With the trimming of hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staff, including executives, and a hiring freeze on air traffic controllers in effect, many Americans speculate that lax safety oversight and gutted agencies may have caused the plane crash.
Who Could Be Liable for the Potomac Plane Crash?
While the investigation is still ongoing, our team is beginning to formulate a list of potential liable parties. With additional information provided by bereaved loved ones or others with knowledge of the situation, we could build a case to bring justice for the dozens of lives lost. BD&J is investigating potential negligence in:
- The airline
- The aircraft manufacturers
- Air traffic control
- The FAA
- Government agencies
- And others.
If your loved one died in the plane and helicopter crash over the Potomac on January 29, 2025, you could help hold those responsible accountable for their negligence. Contact our compassionate wrongful death attorneys for a free consultation!
What Kind of Damages Can Bereaved Loved Ones Bring Over the Potomac Plane Crash?
If you lost a loved one in the Potomac plane crash, you could be eligible for a wide variety of damages. Though none of them will bring back your family members, it can help hold negligent agencies responsible for the heartache and tragedy they may have directly or indirectly caused. Bereaved loved ones could claim:
- Emotional distress and shock
- Funeral costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of income
- Punitive damages
Frequently Asked Questions
Were the plane and helicopter faulty?
It is still unclear whether the aircraft involved were faulty. BD&J is continuing to investigate this question and encourages anyone who may have information regarding the build quality of the aircraft to provide their knowledge.
What was the recovery response?
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began recovery and cleanup on receiving the reports on the night of January 29, 2025. They began by searching for survivors and then pivoted to recovery of debris and bodies once it became clear none survived. President Donald Trump spoke at a press conference stating the collision may have been caused by the previous Biden administration’s recruitment of individuals with disabilities. Millions of Americans are outraged at the President’s baseless claims that DEI initiatives and, specifically, individuals with disabilities were to blame for the crash.
Can I sue for emotional distress?
Yes. If you lost a loved one who was a passenger on the Black Hawk helicopter or on American Airlines Flight 5342, you could be eligible to sue for shock and emotional distress over the wrongful death of your family member.
More Than $2 Billion* Recovered By BD&J’s Wrongful Death Attorneys
BD&J has fought tirelessly for the bereaved loved ones of victims of wrongful death for more than 20 years. Our roster of award-winning attorneys have aggressively pursued justice for those who have been uncut and low-balled by negligent parties. BD&J wrongful death attorneys intimately know the pain of losing a loved one and will stop at nothing to get their clients just compensation. Though it can never replace the loss of a friend or family member, BD&J feels honored to help grieving family members hold those at fault responsible to ensure no others experience the same.
If your loved one died onboard AA Flight 5342 from Wichita, let our team fight for you. We leave no stone unturned and will push for the maximum damages for your surviving family.
