Claims Property Values Decreased, Land Damaged

The owner of a house in a Chicago suburb where a medical airplane went down in 2011 has filed a lawsuit against the company that owned the plane claiming her land suffered "long-term damage" causing her property values to decline.

The accident occurred in November, 2011 on property belonging to Wendy Meister in Riverwoods, IL. The Chicago Tribune reports that according to court documents, her home "became widely known in the surrounding community as the house where the plane crashed." Debris from the accident was reportedly scattered across her property.

The suit names Wisconsin-based Trans North Aviation, the owner of the airplane, as well as a Wheeling, IL-based tree service hired by a third party to clean up the debris.

Meister says the property damage to her home and property was at least $50,000. She claims her roof, underground drainage system, and foundation were damaged, as well as valuable old-growth trees on her property.

The accident resulted in three fatal injuries, including the pilot and two passengers. The co-pilot and a medic on board survived the accident.

In its probable cause report, the NTSB said the Piper PA-31-530 Navajo ran out of fuel, and cited pilot error for inadequate pre-flight planning and monitoring of a higher-than-expected rate of fuel consumption. It also said the pilot had used illicit drugs prior to the flight.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20111129X93953&key=1