A sample of the brief, prepared from public sources. Every name and fact carries its source.
American’s senior communications executive.3
Hired by American as managing director of communications.4
Came out of retirement to take this role. His team is the single point of contact for the families.5
The sources reviewed do not name an outside firm on this matter.
DeFeo: The Home Depot from 2003 to 2011, leading media relations and brand strategy; four years at the public relations agency Ketchum; senior vice president of communications at Darden Restaurants.3
Crichton: Named a managing director at TrailRunner International in February 2022. Earlier, communications director at Frito-Lay and leadership roles at Edelman, Weber Shandwick, FleishmanHillard and Zeno Group.46
When the first lawsuit was filed in September 2025, American’s statement said the flight was on a routine approach when the Army helicopter, flying above its published route altitude, collided with it. American said it would defend itself and PSA Airlines against any claim that it caused or contributed to the crash.7
American reported that more than 220 CARE Team members from more than 80 departments and 30 locations deployed overnight to Washington and Wichita.8 By May 2025 the work had moved to a longer-term team under a vice president, described as the single point of contact for families and in touch with several families every day.5
American argued that PSA Airlines, a separate entity, operated the flight. On Feb. 27, 2026, Judge Reyes declined to dismiss American from the case.2 The federal government admitted liability in a December 2025 filing.9
These two sections are written for counsel and are not published.
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