A devastating mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport killed 67 people on both aircraft. The commercial aircraft, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with the military helicopter during its final approach to the airport on Wednesday evening. The Black Hawk was carrying three soldiers, who also perished in the crash.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials, the Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines, departed from Wichita, Kansas bound for Washington D.C. The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter was conducting a training exercise when the collision occurred. Law enforcement sources report that the plane operating as American Flight 5342 broke into multiple pieces upon impact with the water, with the helicopter wreckage located nearby.
At this time, the cause of the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash is unknown. The mid-air collision is the worst U.S. aviation disaster in over 20 years.
If you have lost a family member in this tragic accident, the American Airlines crash 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.
American Airlines Crash Attorneys Comment on Fatal Mid-Air Collision
American Airlines Flight 5342 Victims Identified
American Airlines Flight 5342 Crash Investigation
American Airlines Crash History
American Airlines Crash Lawyers: Wisner Baum's Experience
Contact Wisner Baum for a Free Consultation
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:VVVcccvv
- 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 Flight 5342 Crash Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the crash investigation with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Commercial airline crash investigations typically follow a well-established protocol that usually takes more than a year to complete:
Initial Response (24-48 hours)
- Securing the crash site
- Collecting perishable evidence
- Gathering flight data and cockpit voice recorders
- Interviewing witnesses
Fact-Finding Phase (3-6 months)
- Detailed analysis of flight data
- Aircraft maintenance records review
- Air traffic control communication analysis
- Pilot training and experience evaluation
Analysis Phase (6-12 months)
- Expert examination of recovered wreckage
- Flight path reconstruction
- System performance evaluation
- Human factors analysis
Final Report (12-18 months)
- Determination of probable cause
- Safety recommendations
- Publication of findings
As you can see, it will be months before we have any definitive answers as to what caused the American Airlines mid-flight collision. The NTSB will likely issue a preliminary report on early findings within the next two months.
American Airlines Crash History
American Airlines has not had a fatal crash in the U.S. for decades. The last fatal crash involving an American Airlines flight occurred on November 12, 2001. American Airlines Flight 587, an Airbus A300, crashed into the neighborhood of Belle Harbor in Queens, New York City, killing all 260 people aboard (251 passengers and nine crew members). Five people on the ground were also killed.
This crash was the second-deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history, behind only the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 in 1979.
Other American Airlines crashes include:
- December 20, 1995: American Airlines Flight 965 crashed into a mountain near Buga, Colombia, killing 159 out of 163 people on board.
- June 1, 1999: American Airlines Flight 1420 overran the runway while landing during a storm in Little Rock, Arkansas, resulting in 11 fatalities.
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.
Legal Rights of Airline Crash Victims' Families
Following an airline disaster, families of victims have specific legal rights under U.S. law. The airline is required to:
- Provide immediate assistance to families
- Share timely information about the investigation
- Compensate victims' families for their losses
However, determining the full scope of liability and ensuring fair compensation requires experienced legal representation. Pending the outcome of the crash investigation, multiple parties may share responsibility for this mid-air collision, including:
- American Airlines and its operating partners
- Aircraft and component manufacturers
- Air traffic control services
- Government entities
- Maintenance providers
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
