Oxford Aviation In Maine Ordered To Pay Damages Following Aircraft Accident

A federal court has awarded $430,000 to Joseph Skilken and Co. following an accident involving a Cessna 441 after work on the airplane was performed by Oxford aviation of Maine. A portion of the tail of the airplane separated from the aircraft in flight, forcing an emergency landing in June that many said should have resulted in the fatal injury of Steven Skilken and five other people on board the aircraft. All of those on board survived.

But collecting may be another issue entirely, according to the Bangor Daily News. Oxford Aviation owner and president James Horowitz transferred the company to himself and filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy last month.

Oxford Aviation had repainted the Cessna, and Skilken was flying himself, his wife, her parents, and the couple's two daughters to Colorado from Ohio when the incident occurred. They had sought repayment for damages to the airplane, repayment for the paint work, and other expenses associated with the lawsuit.

TheSkilken's lawyers are now attempting to determine if Horowitz and his company were insured at the time of the incident, and what claims can be transferred to the Skilkens. Steven Skilken said he might be forced to sue Horowitz personally in an effort to recover some of his losses.

Despite the challenges, Skilken told the paper that he intends to continue his case against Horowitz and Oxford Aviation.

FMI: www.med.uscourts.gov