Family of co-pilot sue over fatal airport crash (From The Northern Echo)

Family of co-pilot sue over fatal airport crash

11:00am Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Gavin Engelbrecht

THE partner and family of a North-East co-pilot killed in a plane crash have begun legal action – on the first anniversary of the tragedy – against the firm which provided the aircraft and its operator.

Andrew Cantle, 27, from Sunderland, had recently started his first job as a newlyqualified co-pilot when the Fairchild Metroliner aircraft – used by Manx2 and operated by Flightline BCN – crashed on its third attempt to land in fog at Cork Airport on February 10, last year.

Aviation lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have started legal action in Ireland on behalf of both his partner, Beth Webster, and his parents, Ann and John, and brother Kris.

The move comes days after an interim report by Ireland’s Air Accident Investigation Unit revealed that Spanish pilot Jordi Lopez took control of the engine power levers for the final approach and that there was a technical problem with one of the engines.

The team, working with Dublin law firm Murray Flynn Maguire, has filed the case against Airlada, the Spanish company which provided the aircraft and employed the crew, as well as operator Flightline BCN.

Both pilots were killed, along with four passengers, including a relative of Ireland’s President, Mary McAleese. Six survived.

Miss Webster, who lived with Mr Cantle in Rawcliffe, York, said: “I struggle to cope with life without him. My friends and family continue to help me through this ordeal, unlike Manx 2, from whom I have yet to hear a single word of condolence.

“I personally would like to see a review of existing aviation law to prevent any similar tragedies from occurring.”

Jim Morris, a former RAF pilot and partner with the law firm’s specialist aviation law team, said: “We have believed that this accident was caused by the actions of the captain and those responsible for rostering a very inexperienced crew together in poor weather conditions.

“The latest interim report provides further confirmation of questionable decisions made by the captain during the flight and also indicates that there were problems with the thrust of one of the engines, due to a faulty sensor, that may have aggravated the perilous situation in which the captain had placed the aircraft.”

A spokesman for Manx2 said: “Our thoughts continue to be with the families of those who were injured or who lost their lives. From day one, Manx2 has publicly expressed its condolences and otherwise to all of the families affected.”