Suit Filed Against Cessna For Aircraft Accident In IMC Without IFR FlightPlan

Lawyers for the family of a skydiver killed in a tragic October Cessna Caravan crash have filed suit against the aircraft's manufacturer, despite evidence the aircraft reportedly encountered airframe icing in IMC... without being flown on an IFR flight plan.

The lawsuit filed by the parents of skydiver Bryan Jones claim the plane was defective and shouldn't have been flying in icy weather, according to reports filed with Seattle's KOMO TV.

The 34-year-old Microsoft engineer was one of nine skydivers from a Snohomish County jump club who were aboard the Cessna Caravan when it flew into a mountainside above White Pass, killing all 10 aboard on October 7 including the pilot.

The plane went down in thick timber at 4,300 feet, about 45 miles west of Yakima near the Goat Rocks Wilderness Area during a VFR flight from Star, Idaho, near Boise, to Shelton, Wash.

The preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board said the flight departed Star (ID92), Idaho, about 1830, en route to Shelton (SHN), Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at Yakima, Washington, which was the nearest official reporting station, though a ground observer noted that instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site. No flight plan had been filed.

Jones' parents filed the lawsuit Friday and seek damages for the pain and suffering their son experienced and their loss of his companionship. Jones was known as a quiet and shy guy on the job, was quick to hop on his motorcycle after work to head to Harvey Field to skydive.

"He was pretty dedicated," said Shawn Starr, a Skydive Snohomish instructor. "He would sit in traffic for hours just to make one jump at sunset."

Jones is credited with over 1,000 jumps and helped lead the Seattle Skydivers club. Jones had also recently begun "canopy piloting," a more specialized skydiving sport, said skydiver Dave Correia.

"He knew what he was doing and he did it well," said Ryan Shipley, another skydiver and friend.

Cessna Aircraft Company could not be reached for comment about the lawsuit, according to KOMO. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20071017X01609&key=1