Lede: A lawsuit was filed Wednesday by the family of Casey Crafton against multiple parties following the January collision of an airliner and an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C.

The crash, which resulted in 67 fatalities, has prompted other families to join the legal action against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Army, American Airlines, and PSA Airlines. The lawsuit claims negligence due to a history of near misses in the area.

The Army declined to comment on the lawsuit, while American and PSA Airlines stated they will contest any claims of wrongdoing. The airlines noted that Flight 5342 was on a routine approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when the collision occurred.

According to the FAA, safety measures have since been implemented, including stricter regulations on helicopter flights around the airport.

Rachael Crafton, widow of Casey Crafton, expressed the family's profound grief and the impact of their loss. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash, with a final report expected next year. Early findings suggest the Army helicopter operated at an improper altitude during the incident.

The lawsuit asserts that both airlines failed to properly train pilots for proximity to helicopters and did not adequately address safety risks, despite previous alerts regarding congestion. Attorneys representing the families indicated there was a troubling pattern of a lack of response to safety concerns in the area.

Families affected by the crash are advocating for heightened air safety standards and thorough investigations into the incident.