MOUNT PLEASANT, SC -- Motley Rice LLC has filed a negligence action against three defendants claiming that their actions and inactions resulted in the forced landing and destruction of a Boeing 747-200 freighter plane near Bogota, Colombia, on July 7, 2008. Though all eight crewmembers survived the forced landing, they sustained serious injuries. Motley Rice represents Bryant Beebe, the captain of the flight who guided the aircraft to what is believed to be the first survivable forced landing of a Boeing 747.
The flight, operated by Kalitta Air LLC as a wet-lease for Centurion Air Cargo of Miami, departed the El Dorado International Airport near Bogota, Colombia, just before 3:00 a.m. EDT with a planned destination of Miami International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced multiple engine failures and loss of thrust on operating engines. Captain Beebe and his crew initiated emergency procedures and attempted to turn back to the departure airport. Struggling to keep the aircraft flying despite the reduced thrust, Captain Beebe managed to execute a forced landing in the dark mountainous terrain.
Among other allegations, the complaint alleges that Boeing failed to provide adequate operating instructions and warnings for the operation of the aircraft, particularly at high altitude airports, and that Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technology Corporation, did not provide adequate guidance for maintenance and inspection of the JT9D-7Q engines that failed on the accident aircraft. Additionally, the action alleges Centurion Air Cargo inadequately supervised the aircraft's servicing at El Dorado International Airport on the day of the incident. The case was filed in the Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial Circuit in Monroe County, FL.
"Manufacturers of aircraft and engines have a duty to provide comprehensive and comprehensible instructions for their products that contemplate all conditions in which the aircraft are certified to operate. Servicers of aircraft are expected to provide proper fuel, stores, and loading," says Mary Schiavo, former Department of Transportation Inspector General and leader of the Motley Rice aviation team.
"When a pilot loses the thrust from multiple engines so shortly after takeoff, it is imperative to find out the root causes of the failures so they are not repeated. If not for the superior airmanship of Captain Beebe and his crew, they would have all perished. Because these types of aircraft and engines are used in freight and passenger service around the world, we must insure that any shortcomings are uncovered and addressed before more people are injured or killed," says Motley Rice litigator and former major airline Captain Don McCune Jr.
The plaintiffs seek recovery for the damages incurred as a result of this crash. The damages Captain Beebe has incurred include pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement, medical expenses, loss of earnings, damaged earning capacity and other personal and pecuniary losses. Beebe's wife has allegedly incurred damages including deprivation of services, society, and companionship.
For more information visit www.motleyrice.com.
