Lawyer Alleged Malfunctioning Glideslope Caused Crash

The family of George C. Swanson settled a suit they'd filed against the FAA and Robinson Aviation Inc for $2.5 million.

The family filed suit in 2004 seeking $25.3 million in damages.

Swanson was flying a Swearingen Merlin II attempting to land in IMC at Craig Municipal Airport in Jacksonville, FL on Thanksgiving in 2003. Reported weather at the time was 1/4 mile in fog with 100 ft vertical visibility. The aircraft impacted trees 1.8 miles from the runway.

ATC warned Swanson the weather was below minimums for the approach he requested, but he elected to attempt the approach anyway.

Donald Maciejewski of Zisser, Robison, Brown, Nowlis & Maciejewski alleges Craig Airport had a known problem with its glide slope antenna. He claims a government inspection showed the antenna acted up during bad weather resulting in a "course reversal" indication on aircraft instruments.

After his firm filed suit, the FAA replaced the antenna. Additionally, Maciejewski says, controllers working the airplane were reassigned.

The suit claims the controllers should have warned Swanson about the faulty antenna. It also says had they better monitored Swanson's position they could have prevented the accident.

Swanson and his four children were flying to Jacksonville to spend Thanksgiving with family. Swanson's children all survived the accident.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov