Robert A. Clifford, aviation attorney involved in every major commercial airline disaster in the U.S. in the last four decades, commented on the crash of an American Airlines regional jet that collided mid-air on approach to Reagan National Airport that occurred about 9 p.m. EST Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
“The NTSB will immediately investigate the cause of the crash which, by all standards, never should have happened. The NTSB headquarters is a couple miles from the crash site, and it will have a full Go Team there to begin its investigation and develop answers for the public as to why this crash happened. A mid-air collision immediately leads to questions about FAA air traffic control failures, possible pilot error and aircraft traffic collision avoidance system performance, all of which the NTSB will be looking at along with all other aspects of the investigation. This is not the first air traffic safety incident at Reagan National Airport in the last year. The aviation community has been sounding the alarm on an increasing number of close calls since 2023.”
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices in Chicago and Lead Counsel in the pending litigation against Boeing in the crash a jet nearly six years ago that killed all 157 on board.
It is being reported that twin-engine jet American Airlines Flight 5342 collided in mid-air with a military Sikorsky helicopter. Emergency rescue and dive teams reportedly are on the scene searching for survivors. It has been reported that at least 60 passengers and possibly four crew members were on board the aircraft that can hold up to 78 people and up to 15-17 can be seated in the helicopter. The plane is reported to have departed from Wichita, Kansas.
To speak to Robert Clifford or for further comment, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz at 847-721-0909 (cell) or pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com.
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