Statement on the 100-day anniversary of the Flight 5342 tragedy

Below is a statement from the family members who lost loved ones in the American Flight 5342 crash on January 29, 2025, regarding the 100-day anniversary of tragedy:

One hundred days ago, a U.S. Army helicopter collided with Flight 5342 and changed our lives forever. Since then, we’ve buried spouses, parents, children, and siblings. We’ve sat across from empty chairs that once held everything we loved. And we’ve waited—for answers, for accountability, for action.

We are speaking out because we do not want this to happen to anyone else. Our loved ones deserved better. So does the flying public. This tragedy exposed serious breakdowns across multiple agencies. Some have responded with urgency. Others have not. Our response scorecard lays bare the difference.

We are grateful to those who have met with us and acknowledged the need for change. But words are not enough. Now is the time for decisive action and accountability.

No one should fear stepping onto an airplane or wonder if their loved one will make it home. Today, we honor those we’ve lost not just with our sorrow, but with our voices. We will not go away. We are fighting for a future where air travel is safe for every passenger, every pilot, every family—because that is the world our loved ones deserved.

The next 100 days must honor the lives lost—with real, lasting change in how our skies are made safe. We’re fighting for every family who flies, and we expect those in power to do the same.

To learn more about our fight for answers and safer skies, visit www.flight5342.org.