On December 18, 2025, the U.S. government acknowledged its involvement in the January 29 collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., which resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals, including a group of young figure skaters. This incident marked the deadliest plane crash on American soil in over two decades.

The victims included members of the Skating Club of Boston, who were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. In court documents responding to a lawsuit filed by a victim's family, the government stated that the air traffic controller had violated visual separation procedures, and the Army helicopter pilots failed to maintain adequate vigilance to avoid the airline jet.

While the government accepted partial liability, it also indicated that other parties, including the pilots of the jet and the airlines involved, may share responsibility. American Airlines and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, have sought to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that the primary legal responsibility lies with the U.S. government.

The government denied negligence on the part of air traffic controllers or officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Army. However, Robert Clifford, an attorney representing the family of victim Casey Crafton, noted that the government admitted to the Army's role in the loss of life and acknowledged the FAA's failure to adhere to air traffic control procedures.

A tribute ceremony was held in March to honor the deceased skaters, including teenage athletes Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, along with their mothers and coaches. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to release a report detailing the crash's causes, which have already been linked to the helicopter operating above the designated altitude and the FAA's failure to address safety concerns at the busy airport, where there had been numerous near misses prior to the incident.