Travis Barker, who (along with DJ Adam ‘AM’ Goldstein) survived a fatal plane crash last September, has just launched a lawsuit against the parties that he blames for the crash. Filing paperwork L.A. County Superior Court, Barker‘s lawsuit (which was joined by the mother of Charles ‘Che’ Still — one of the victims who died in the crash) is suing for “pain and suffering, mental anguish, psychological and emotional distress and disfigurement and pre-impact fear of death and burning”:
Travis Barker is suing Bombardier Inc., Clay Lacy Aviation and Goodyear Tire and Rubber in connection with the plane crash that severely injured him and killed two of his friends. The suit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, was filed by Barker and the mother of Charles “Che” Still, Travis’ bodyguard who died in the crash. In the lawsuit, Travis and Thelma Martin Still claim “one or more of the tires failed leaving tire debris and portions of airplane components along the 8,600 foot runway” ultimately causing the Learjet to crash. The suit alleges a “negligent attempt to abort the takeoff.” The suit continues, “The pilot’s decision was a breach of their duty owed to the passengers onboard and was a substantial factor in causing the crash and resultant injuries and deaths.” The suit also alleges the plane was “defective,” as were component parts including the tires. The suit goes on, “It’s landing gear, tires, wheels, brakes, reverse thrust system, squat switches and component parts were not airworthy.” A rep for Clay Lacy just told TMZ, “We are surprised about the lawsuit and concerned and knowledgeable about the accident. We are sympathetic for the victims but we want to emphasize we were not operating this airplane. This was not our airplane. We merely assisted the parties in chartering this aircraft with another company. We simply booked it for them.”
People magazine has more information on the language included in the suit:
The L.A. Superior Court lawsuit, also filed Friday by the mother of Barker’s bodyguard, Charles “Che” Still, who died in the crash, alleges the pilots “negligently decided to abort” the takeoff when the Learjet’s tires failed in September at an airport in Columbia, S.C. “The pilots were either poorly trained and/or failed to follow their training,” the suit says. “The pilots’ decision was a breach of their duty owed to the passengers onboard and was a substantial factor in causing the crash and resultant injuries and deaths” … Federal aviation officials are focusing on bare tires and debris on the runway as the causes of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board says the wheels had very little rubber remaining and its brakes were severely damaged. The lawsuit names as defendants Clay Lacy Aviation, Global Executive Aviation, Inter Travel and Services, Goodyear Tire and Rubber and Bombardier Inc.
I suppose this legal action was to be expected. After the healing comes the retribution. I wholeheartedly agree that the parties at fault have to be held responsible for causing the deaths of four people. I understand that suits like this also go a long way in helping with the healing process of accident victims who survive traumatic experiences like this. I cannot for the life of me imagine what it must feel like to deal with any of this tragedy … my only hope is that Travis, AM and the family members of those lost in the accident will, one day, be able to finally put this whole incident behind them. It remains to be seen if this lawsuit will help bring closure but it’s prolly a very good place to start.
So. I can understand that the victims are upset, angry, and need someone (or something) to blame. I can see that. Suing the tire company for bald tires doesn’t make any sense, though. Why? Because it is the AIRCRAFT OWNER’S responsibility (in this case, I’m assuming it’s Clay Lacy Aviation and/or Global Executive Aviation) to ensure that the tires are not bald before the flight–NOT the tire company’s.
Every aircraft in the United States has to have inspections after a certain number of hours of flight (for example, most small Cessna aircraft have to have 100-hour inspections; I’m not sure about private jets), much like cars have to have yearly inspections. These inspections are the responsibility of the aircraft owner. If the plane has not had their required inspections, or fails one, the plane is not “airworthy,” and should not be flying.
Blaming the pilots and attacking their flying skills does no good, either. Why? Besides the fact that they gave the ultimate sacrifice (their lives), the pilots obviously understood that once a takeoff reaches a certain point (usually when the plane has reached a certain speed), there is absolutely NO WAY to abort that takeoff–PERIOD! You are literally forced to take off. There IS no “slamming on the brakes” to stop a jet once it has reached a certain speed–there just isn’t. And pilots (GOOD pilots) are aware of this. And they are definitely trained on how to handle situations like this. Attacking their skills is a pathetic attempt to place blame on someone who can’t defend or explain their actions anymore.
My husband is a pilot, has been a pilot for many years, so yes, I do know a thing or two on how this all works. Any of the above information can be verified by a local CFI (Certified Flight Instructor).
I second all that CF has to say and would like to add ……. What is it with American’s and lawsuits? What good will come of this? Both survivors are wealthy people (in comparison to most). People died trying to land that plane. They did their best. The only people who will profit from this are LAWYERS. As for lawsuits being part of the “healing process”, Trent – this will drag on for years and disrupt multiple lives (and possibly make innocent people bankrupt).
What I want to know is… why didn’t they require using netjets in their rider?
[...] Travis Barker Sues [...]
When I first heard of the plane crash, my heart went out to Travis Barker and DJ AM. However, after I heard they were suing and pointing fingers and the pilots who DIED trying to save them, I can honestly say I have absolutely lost ALL RESPECT for them. What kind of people are they?!?! They are suffering over the loss of their close friends, do they not know that the families and friends of those pilots are suffering as well? To have the nerve to even SAY those things about the pilots after their death is like pouring salt on the wound to the pilots’ families. Shame on Travis Barker and DJ AM! Why sue them? It’s not like they dont have enough money as it is. And I’ll bet someone WITHOUT millions of dollars wouldn’t even have the nerve to sue for what they did. After that, I can say I have no sympathy for them whatsoever.