‘No Explanation, No Reform:’ Army Receives ‘Failing’ Grade From Families of Flight 5342

Relatives of the D.C. crash victims say the FAA also needs improvement.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, May 12, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Black Hawk wreckage in the Potomac River [Credit: U.S Coast Guard/Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles]

Key Takeaways:

The advocacy group Families of Flight 5342 strongly criticized the U.S. Army for its inadequate communication, lack of transparency, and absence of meaningful reform following a midair collision that killed 67 people.
The group's "Government Response Scorecard" gives the Army a failing grade, noting no explanation, minimal engagement with families, and concerns about systemic issues highlighted by a recent incident involving another Black Hawk.
Families are demanding the Army publicly explain what went wrong, engage directly with them, and announce a concrete plan for operational and cultural safety reform.
This rebuke comes as the Army faces a significant increase in aviation mishaps, recording 15 Class A incidents in fiscal year 2024, the highest in a decade.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The advocacy group Families of Flight 5342 issued a scathing rebuke of the U.S. Army last week in its latest “Government Response Scorecard,” citing inadequate communication, lack of transparency, and absence of meaningful reform following the January 29 midair collision over Washington, D.C., that claimed 67 lives.

The collision involved American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700 regional jet, and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. All passengers and crew aboard both aircraft died in the crash, which occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA).