Friday, January 14, 2011

** State of Maryland files suit against Feds over 2008 air ambulance crash

UNITED STATES NEWS** The State of Maryland is suing the federal government over what it says was air traffic controller negligence relating to a September 2008 air ambulance crash. The Daily Record (Brendan Kearney/July 13) said the action is seeking $4.1 million for the insured value of the chopper. According to the newspaper, the state is contending that Prince George’s County controllers failed to properly direct the Maryland State Police medevac chopper to Andrews Air Force Base. Information on the aircraft’s excessively rapid rate of descent was not relayed, nor was the fact that the helicopter had dropped from radar screens. Additional accusations levelled include suggesting that the last controller in contact with the flight was not even paying attention to it, despite the fact it was the only one requiring assistance at the time. The lawsuit comes just weeks after the crash’s sole survivor, patient Jordan Wells, 18, also filed suit against the federal government. Four people died in the incident, including flight paramedic Mickey Lippy, 34, EMT Tanya Mallard, pilot Steven Bunker, and patient Ashley Younger, 18.