Jet manufacturer Airbus and a number of other parties are being sued in Cook County Court for the 2008 crash of a Sudan Airways plane (BBC), which left more than 30 passengers dead and injured others.
Fire erupted in one of the engines and quickly consumed much of the plane after landing.
Flight 109 from Amman, Jordan to Khartoum, Sudan, was carrying 214 passengers. The suit (Altoum v. Airbus) alleges negligence in the design and construction of the massive aircraft. Honeywell, which made the Ground Proximity Warning System used during landing and Bank of America, which previously owned the plane, are named as additional defendants.
The dizzying list of alleged defects includes the following:
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Engines susceptible of igniting and exploding
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Deceleration mechanisms incapable of slowing the aircraft under reasonable conditions
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Thrust reversers subject to failure
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Brakes' hydraulic system subject to failure
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Failure of warning to the crew of break system failure
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Intakes subject to obstruction and blockage
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Failure of air data computer
The suit, brought by surviving family members of the deceased, is seeking damages under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. Damages claimed by the plaintiffs include loss of support, loss of net accumulations, loss of household and other services, loss of care, comfort, companionship, guidance and society and mental anguish, sorrow and grief.
With a total of 39 counts, the suit is claiming damages for all of the above, plus past and future medical costs for the survivors injured in the crash. A specific amount is not named in the suit, but asks for "an amount in excess of the minimum jurisdictional amount of this Court."
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Jury Award of $7 Million for Kentucky Plane Crash (FindLaw Injured Blog)
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Sudan Airways Flight 109 (Aviation Safety Center)
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Chicago Injury Lawyers (FindLaw)
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