WASHINGTON: The US Justice Department said late on Wednesday the federal government was liable in the fatal Jan 29 collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people near Reagan Washington National Airport.
The government admitted it “owed a duty of care to plaintiffs, which it breached, thereby proximately causing the tragic accident” and that the pilots of the Army helicopter and regional jet “failed to maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid each other.”
The Justice Department said a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller also did not comply with an FAA order and as a result of both agencies conduct the United States was liable for damages.