Leawood attorney Mike Rader of Bartimus, Frickleton, Robertson, Rader is representing two Kansas families in lawsuits stemming from the January 29 crash involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C.
Rader is the only local lawyer involved in this high-profile litigation. The cases allege negligence by the airlines, the U.S. Army, and the FAA, citing multiple near-miss incidents and ignored cockpit warnings.
“These lawsuits are about accountability,” Rader said. “But more importantly, they’re about helping families who endured an unimaginable loss and pushing for stronger aviation safety measures.”
The complaints highlight systemic failures across several organizations, emphasizing that warning signs were missed — putting both crew and passengers at risk.
For the families, the goal is clear: honor their loved ones and ensure future air travel is safer for everyone.
