Claims Fraud, Liability For Accident In Icing Conditions

The family of the 49-year-old pilot killed when her Cessna 208B Caravan went down in Winnipeg last October has filed suit against Cessna, alleging the planemaker knew the aircraft was unsafe in icing conditions.

The Wichita Eagle reports the lawsuit -- which seeks $25 million in punitive damages for the loss of Nancy Chase Allen -- alleges fraud, product liability, negligence, and breach of warranty.  

As Aero-News reported, Allen was flying from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay October 6, 2005 when she alerted controllers the Caravan's "wings were icing up." The plane -- carrying cargo for Edmonton-based Morningstar Express, a FedEx feeder airline -- crashed into a freight yard a short time later.

The Canadian Transportation Safety Board has not completed its investigation into the crash. According to a statement by Nolan Law Group, the firm representing the family, the board has cited inflight airframe icing as a factor in the crash.

"There is an undeniable pattern of design failure directly contributing to the growing number of people killed and injured in these crashes," the Chicago-based firm said in a statement.

The Eagle reports the firm is representing victims and families from four accidents involving Caravans that crashed following icing-induced stalls.

Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

According to National Transportation Safety Board figures, 33 people have died over the last 15 years in accidents attributed to icing on Caravans.

FMI: www.nolan-law.com, www.cessna.com, www.tsb.gc.ca/