Lawsuit Filed Against Airbus Leasing And Siberia Airlines

Yet another attorney suing yet another airline says his latest effort might result in "exposure to insurers (that) could top $300 million."

Steven C. Marks, of the Podhurst Orseck law firm, has filed a lawsuit against Airbus Leasing II, Inc., with operations in Virginia, and Siberia Airlines, now doing business as S7 Airlines, on behalf of 159 passengers who were injured or killed on Siberian Airlines Flight 778.  These victims were on board the Airbus-310 that veered off the runway at the Irkutsk airport in the Russian Federation on July 9, 2006. Marks filed the suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and he expects additional plaintiffs to join in the suit.

Airbus Leasing II is affiliated with Airbus, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers, and its parent, European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co.
 
"It is clear from the results of the crash investigation that this horrible accident could have been prevented," said Marks. "Siberia failed to properly train its pilots and crew on how to handle a plane that had an inoperative thrust reverser. Several safety procedures were not followed, which led to a crash that claimed 129 lives."

The lawsuit claims Siberia failed to operate the aircraft in a safe and competent manner by knowingly departing with an inoperative thrust reverser. "In addition, the flight crew attempted to engage both thrust reversers when they should have known that one of them wasn't working properly," Marks said. "This led to an asymmetrical thrust, causing the aircraft to slide off the runway, crash into structures and burst into flames."

Airbus Leasing is named as a defendant in the suit because it owns the aircraft and is legally liable for the negligence of its operation, said Marks. The suit seeks personal injury damages for the crash victims and survivors, as well as economic reparations for those who perished.

"The insurers have provided $300 million in coverage," said Marks. "But in the event jurisdiction stays in the United States, their exposure would be far greater."

FMI: www.podhurst.com, www.airbus.com