Chicago - A Washington state woman has filed a federal lawsuit claiming negligence against American Airlines stemming from a rocky emergency landing at O'Hare Airport two years ago.
Jewel Thomas of King County Washington, filed the suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court Western District of Washington against American Airlines claiming the emergency landing on Sept. 22, 2008 had her fearing for her life and calling family members to tell them she loved them just in case the landing wound end in disaster.
The suit alleges American Airlines was negligent in failing to exercise the "practical operation" of the plane and failed to provide the passengers with an airplane what was in good mechanical condition.
The suit also claims that a logbook maintained by the airline showed several problems relating to the plane's power supply.
American Airlines Flight No. 268 left Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and was scheduled to arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and became choppy right after takeoff, the suit said.
The captain was advised by the airline's maintenance facility that he could choose to land -- but he instead asked for permission to fly straight to New York with a "dead" battery, the suit said.
Along with the battery issue, they were warned that there was a problem with the Air Ground System and a problem with the landing gear monitor. Additionally the plane had lost two out of three Inertial Reference Systems and the Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) had advised the crew of several warnings relating to the engine.
The plane left Seattle at 8 a.m. and the battery died at 10:58 a.m. As a result, the auto-throttle light illuminated, the auto-throttle disconnected and the auto pilot became "squirrely," the suit said.
It wasn't until 11:15 a.m. that the captain contacted American Airlines dispatch and decided to divert to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
All power in the cabin went out, including the cabin lights, leaving the cabin completely dark. Passengers were then advised to prepare for a "rough landing."
Thomas called her children from her cell phone and left tearful voicemails for them saying, "I love you," the suit said. Thomas also overheard other passengers using their cell phones and making calls to loved ones.
Some passengers were in "brace position" or head-down-body compact while others prayed, the suit said.
When the plane finally landed ’ on a chosen shorter runway ’ the thrust reversers and ground spoilers did not deploy. The anti-skid system for the inboard wheels also did not activate and the plane skidded off the runway.
Passengers heard loud popping noises upon touchdown and could see the plane churning up dirt and ground cover through the window of her seat. Seven of the eight main landing gear tires were either blown out or deflated during the landing.
The suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages, in addition to all costs and expenses of the suit and additional relief.
EmailThis
Print this story
View Story on a Single Page