The U.S. Justice Department concluded that government employees were negligent in the Jan. 29 collision that killed 67 people near Reagan Washington National Airport. The filing says the Army flight crew failed to properly operate the Black Hawk and that FAA controllers failed to separate aircraft and issue safety alerts. The Justice Department outlines multiple military and civilian lapses and says the U.S. government could be liable for damages.
Justice Department: FAA And Army Negligent In Deadly Jan. 29 Washington-Area Air Collision
Maps are seen during a U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on the midair collision involving American Airlines 5342 and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on January 29, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 27, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department said late Wednesday that government employees were negligent in the Jan. 29 midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people near Reagan Washington National Airport. In a filing, the government said a series of military and civilian failures contributed to the tragedy and that the United States may be among the parties liable for damages.
Key Findings From The Justice Department Filing
The filing alleges that the Army flight crew did not adequately operate the helicopter and that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers "failed in their two most important priorities, namely to separate aircraft in airspace and issue safety alerts when aircraft are in an unsafe proximity to one another."
- Army Crew Performance: The Justice Department asserts the helicopter crew failed to follow proper operating procedures.
- FAA Controller Lapses: The FAA controllers are accused of not maintaining required separation between aircraft and of not issuing timely safety alerts.
- Potential Government Liability: Because government employees are alleged to have been negligent, the U.S. government could be named as a defendant and held responsible for damages.
- Series Of Lapses: The filing outlines multiple alleged failures by both military and civilian aviation authorities that the Justice Department says contributed to the crash.
"Failed in their two most important priorities, namely to separate aircraft in airspace and issue safety alerts when aircraft are in an unsafe proximity to one another."
The filing is part of litigation and does not itself determine civil liability; it reflects the Justice Department's view of the facts as presented in its court documents. Reporting for this story was provided by David Shepardson in Washington; the item was edited by Chris Reese.
