Suit Calls Routine Inspection "Cursory And Inadequate"

The insurance company for Porter Valparaiso Hospital Campus filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against the pilot and owners of a medical helicopter over a failed takeoff in July 2005.

While transporting a patient to the University of Chicago Hospital, the helicopter pitched uncontrollably and came crashing back down onto the hospital helipad shortly after liftoff. No one on board was injured.

The lawsuit alleges both parties were negligent by failing to properly inspect and maintain the aircraft and that a maintenance company performed defective repairs before the crash. The cause was ultimately determined to be a mechanical problem.

The National Transportation Safety Board report concluded, "The loose tail rotor drive shaft coupling due to its improper installation by the operator's maintenance personnel, which resulted in the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft."

The insurance company is attempting to recoup the $469,258 it paid out to the hospital for damages to the building from the accident, according to the Northeast Indiana Times.

The pilot, Edward D. Ban of Naperville, IL, reported he tried to steer the helicopter to the right, but the aircraft would not respond. He said he performed a routine inspection of the helicopter prior to take-off; the lawsuit calls that inspection "cursory and inadequate."

A Wisconsin-based company, Helicopter Specialties, is also named in the suit. It alleges that it was the company that performed the mechanical overhaul of the helicopter shortly before the crash.

Steve Springer, attorney for Pennsylvania-based C.J. Systems Aviation Group Inc.; its parent company, Corporate Jets Inc.; owner of the helicopter, declined to comment to Times reporters on specific questions while the lawsuit is still being investigated.

FMI: www.porterhealth.com, www.cjsystemsaviation.com, www.ntsb.gov