Darkwing
January 16th 09, 10:21 PM
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jxdbyQcbpVUtqK86x176lwKTa7fAD95M1SJG0
2 Texas women file first suit in Denver crash
DENVER (AP) - Two passengers on the Continental Airlines jet that veered off
a Denver runway last month have filed what appears to be the first lawsuit
in the crash.
Melissa Craft, 25, and Emily Pellegrini, 21, both of Texas, claim in their
lawsuit that the pilot "negligently aborted" the Dec. 20 flight shortly
after takeoff.
The Houston-bound jet veered off the Denver International Airport runway and
into a ravine, where it caught fire. The flight was carrying 110 passengers
and five crew members; 37 people were injured.
Aviation safety experts have said strong crosswinds likely were a factor in
the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board continues to
investigate.
The complaint names Continental and two of its pilots. Continental
spokeswoman Julie King called the allegations in the suit premature.
"Since the facts of the accident are still being investigated, the
allegations are premature. We're prepared to defend the company's actions
and those of our crew," King said.
Jason A. Gibson, an attorney for the two women, alleges airline officials
have been trying to hint that wind shear might be responsible for the crash
when pilot error was the more likely cause.
"Continental knows what happened. They have access to all the records. They
have access to the pilots," Gibson said. "Continental's already putting a
spin on things."
2 Texas women file first suit in Denver crash
DENVER (AP) - Two passengers on the Continental Airlines jet that veered off
a Denver runway last month have filed what appears to be the first lawsuit
in the crash.
Melissa Craft, 25, and Emily Pellegrini, 21, both of Texas, claim in their
lawsuit that the pilot "negligently aborted" the Dec. 20 flight shortly
after takeoff.
The Houston-bound jet veered off the Denver International Airport runway and
into a ravine, where it caught fire. The flight was carrying 110 passengers
and five crew members; 37 people were injured.
Aviation safety experts have said strong crosswinds likely were a factor in
the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board continues to
investigate.
The complaint names Continental and two of its pilots. Continental
spokeswoman Julie King called the allegations in the suit premature.
"Since the facts of the accident are still being investigated, the
allegations are premature. We're prepared to defend the company's actions
and those of our crew," King said.
Jason A. Gibson, an attorney for the two women, alleges airline officials
have been trying to hint that wind shear might be responsible for the crash
when pilot error was the more likely cause.
"Continental knows what happened. They have access to all the records. They
have access to the pilots," Gibson said. "Continental's already putting a
spin on things."