US government admits negligence in helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 in Washington

The US government on admitted that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army played a role in the collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk helicopter near the nation’s capital, which killed 67 people.

In its official response to the first lawsuit filed by the family of one of the victims, the government said it is partly liable for the crash because an air traffic controller violated procedures that night. However, the filing also suggested that others - including the pilots of both the jet and the helicopter, contributed to the incident.

The lawsuit has also blamed American Airlines and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, for the crash, though both carriers have filed motions seeking dismissal.

Officials said at least 28 bodies were recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the American Airlines regional jet as it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in northern Virginia, just across the river from Washington. The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.

Robert Clifford, an attorney representing the family of victim Casey Crafton, said the families and their legal teams would closely examine the new court filings. He said the government “rightfully acknowledges” that it was not the sole party responsible for the crash, describing it as one of several contributing causes.

Clifford said his team would continue to investigate the incident to ensure that all parties found to be at fault are held accountable, and that they are awaiting further findings from a National Transportation Safety Board hearing scheduled for January 26.