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University City Man Sues Boeing, US in 2008 Marine Corps Plane Crash

A man in University City has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the United States and Boeing in the death of his wife, two daughters and mother-in-law in a plane crash in 2008.  In December 2008, Don Yoon’s family was in their home in University City when a Marine Corps jet crashed into the home. Yoon’s wife, his two daughters, including a 15-month-old baby and a newborn, and his mother-in-law, were burnt to death.

The Horner jet was on its way to the Miramar Marine Corp’s Air Station when the engines died.  The pilot on board was a student pilot.  He ejected, and the jet crashed into the home.

Since the crash, the Navy has settled at least 20 claims arising from the crash for a total of about $700,000.  However, the bigger claims that exceeded $70 million in value have not been resolved.  There is no information about the amount that Yoon’s lawsuit claims.

In March 2009, an investigation conducted by the Navy found that the pilot and ground crews did not follow the proper rules for emergency landings.  They also found that the jet in question had mechanical problems, and that it should have been removed from service.  Further, the investigators concluded in their probe that the pilot of the jet landed at the North Island Naval Air Station, instead of trying to land the plane at Miramar.  After that investigation, four squadron leaders were relieved from duty, and at least nine other service members were disciplined.

Yoon alleges in his wrongful death lawsuit that the United States had violated its own policies for the proper maintenance and operations of its aircraft.  The lawsuit also alleges that there were defects in the airplane, which had been designed and manufactured by Boeing, and that these defects contributed to the crash.  The lawsuit claims that the jet had a record of failures and defects that were known both to the United States government and Boeing.  This year, the Navy denied Yoon’s administrative claims for wrongful death.

A typical airline crash claim will involve a complete investigation of the crash.  This will involve looking at the government’s crash report.  There may be several parties that may be named in a claim, including the owner of the plane, the manufacturer and designer of the airplane, manufactures of components and parts used in the plane, and suppliers.  There may be other people not involved in the manufacture of the plane, who may also be named, like airport personnel.  This could include air traffic controllers whose role in airplane crashes has recently come under heavy scrutiny.  Besides, aircraft maintenance companies and the pilot of the aircraft may also be named in a claim.

Obviously, a plane crash claim can be very complex and challenging, because you’re up against major billion-dollar corporations who have plenty of legal expertise dealing with claims.  That’s why it helps to have an experienced California plane crash attorney on your side.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of plane accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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