U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has established an April 2027 trial date for the consolidated lawsuits stemming from a fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter, according to court documents filed Tuesday. The decision came during a hearing with lawyers representing victims’ families, American Airlines, PSA Airlines, and the U.S. government, as reported by Reuters.
Judge Reyes emphasized the importance of handling the case with appropriate respect, stating, “We are not going to dishonor the people who lost their lives, their family and friends, and we are not going to dishonor the employees of the defendants who work hard to ensure safety by dragging this thing along.”
Families Of 67 Victims Await Answers As Trial Date Nears
The lawsuits originated from a mid-air collision that occurred in January 2025 between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash killed 67, marking the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in more than 20 years. Initial National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) findings show the helicopter was flying above its assigned altitude during the crash.
The trial will consolidate at least two lawsuits filed in September 2025 against the airline and the federal government. American Airlines has publicly stated it will defend itself and PSA Airlines “against any legal action claiming the airline caused or contributed to this accident,” as noted in AVweb’s reporting. The legal proceedings will address questions of liability between the commercial airline and military operations.
The April 2027 trial will determine liability and potential compensation for the families of the 67 victims of this tragic collision. Both sides will continue pre-trial preparations over the coming months and years leading up to the court date.
