The US government has admitted negligence in the US helicopter plane crash that killed 67 people near the nation’s capital earlier this year. The admission came in a legal filing tied to the first lawsuit brought by a victim’s family. The crash was the deadliest aviation disaster on US soil in more than twenty years. The collision happened in January when a passenger jet was landing near the capital. A military Black Hawk helicopter crossed into the jet’s flight path. Both aircraft went down. All people on board were killed. The jet carried 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter carried three soldiers. In its court filing, the government said it had a duty of care to the victims. It admitted that this duty was breached. It also said this failure directly caused the deadly crash. The filing pointed to mistakes by both air traffic control and the helicopter crew. According to the response, an air traffic controller did not follow proper rules that night. The controller allowed the pilots to use visual separation. This means pilots rely on their own sight to keep distance from other aircraft. The filing said this step was taken when it should not have been allowed. This failure was listed as one reason the government is legally responsible. The government also said the helicopter pilots failed to keep proper watch. The filing stated they did not see and avoid the jet as required. Because the helicopter was operated by the military, this failure also makes the government liable under the law. At the same time, the filing noted that other parties may share blame. It suggested that the jet pilots and the airline operators could have contributed. The lawsuit filed by the family also raised claims against the airline and its regional partner. Those companies have asked the court to remove them from the case. After the crash, rescue teams searched the icy river below. Officials later said at least 28 bodies were recovered from the water. The crash shocked the region and raised serious concerns about safety near one of the busiest airports in the country. A lawyer representing one victim’s family said the filing confirms long-held concerns. He said the government has now admitted the military’s role in the loss of life. He also said air traffic control failed to follow safety rules. At the same time, he noted that others may also share responsibility. Families, he said, remain deeply affected by their loss. Lawyers for the airline involved declined to comment on the latest filing. In earlier court papers, the airline said the claims should be directed at the government instead. The company said it has focused on helping families since the crash. Investigators are still working on the final report. A full finding on the cause of the US helicopter plane crash is expected early next year. However, safety officials have already shared several key factors. One major issue was the helicopter’s altitude. Investigators said it was flying about 78 feet higher than allowed. The route had a strict height limit. That limit was meant to protect planes landing on a nearby runway. The small gap left little room for error. Investigators also found a history of close calls at the same airport. In the three years before the crash, there were 85 near misses. Despite this record, safety officials said the risks were not fully addressed. On the night of the crash, the controller asked the helicopter crew twice if they could see the jet. The pilots said they could. They asked to use visual separation. Later reviews showed controllers at the airport had grown too comfortable with this practice. The agency has since stopped allowing it in similar cases. Witnesses raised more concerns. They questioned whether night vision goggles made it harder to spot the jet. They also asked if the pilots were looking in the correct direction. Investigators added that a faulty altitude reading may have played a role. The helicopter pilots relied on a barometric altimeter. It showed them flying lower than they really were. Data later showed the aircraft was 80 to 100 feet higher than indicated. The victims came from many walks of life. They included young figure skaters, their parents, and coaches returning from a competition. Four skilled workers from the capital region also lost their lives. As lawsuits move forward, families are seeking answers and accountability. The government’s admission marks a key step in that process.