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Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
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Law suit filed in Bahamas-bound sea plane crash

Thursday, January 12, 2006

CHICAGO, USA: Representing three of the victims in the crash of a chartered seaplane off the coast of Miami on December 19, 2005, a Chicago law firm, the Nolan Law Group, has filed a complaint against Flying Boat Inc., doing business as Chalk’s Ocean Airways, in the Circuit Court of Dade County, Florida.

The victims represented in the lawsuit are Genevieve Agnes Ellis and Salome Gertrude Rolle, Niesha Tamalia Fox. More complaints will be filed in the next few days. A total of 20 people perished in the crash..

The family of Salome G. Rolle includes three pilots from the Bahamas. One of the pilots, Ray Rolle, Salome’s son, said that “my family has retained a highly specialized law firm in aviation to find the truth behind the crash, correct the problems and avoid similar tragedies from ever happening again. No money in the world will bring my mother back, but if we do not do anything, it will be business as usual for those responsible. We must take strong actions to sanction those responsible and we must do it now before the evidence disappears”

The complaint, filed by Nolan Law Group attorney Manuel von Ribbeck, alleges that the Grumman G-73T sea plane, built in 1947, crashed as a result of negligence on the part of Flying Boat Inc. in inspecting and repairing the aircraft. For an older sea plane such as this, a rigorous maintenance plan was required to monitor the inevitable effects of saltwater corrosion, the suit alleges.

In commenting on the complaint, former NTSB Chairman Jim Hall, now Of Counsel to Nolan Law Group, said, “the age of aircraft is a serious issue that will grow in importance as struggling airlines rely on older fleets. In this instance, the NTSB will examine whether saltwater corrosion might have weakened the structure and caused the wing to detach.”

Hall was quick to add, however, that older airplanes aren't necessarily less safe if the maintenance and inspections programs are carried out appropriately.

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