Airline and aircraft manufacturer sued over Brazil’s crash

Relatives of some of the victims who died when an airplane crashed at Sao Paulo’s airport several weeks ago are suing TAM airlines and the manufacturer of the Airbus aircraft that crashed on July 17th. The suit against the Brazil-based airline and the European company will be held in the United States.

The family of victim Ricardo Tazoe released a statement indicating that they had filed a lawsuit in Florida earlier this week.

In the lawsuit, both the airline and the aircraft manufacturer are being held responsible for negligence in the fabrication, maintenance and operation of the Airbus 320 which crashed and killed some 200 people.

The family is being represented by attorney Seven Marks who said in his statement: “From the evidence gathered so far, it’s clear that TAM knew there were problems with the aircraft.”

He added: “The plane’s right thrust reverser had been deactivated before the flight. The thrust reverser is used to slow the jet down upon landing and had it been operational, it may have prevented this accident.”

Other families representing victims who died in the accident have also contacted the Miami based firm employing Marks and he urged others to come forward and file legal complaints in the United States.

There were 187 people on board the aircraft that skidded off the runway in Sao Paulo’s Congonhas airport, slid across a busy road and crashed into a cargo building. The plane exploded, killing passengers and people on the ground.

www.tam.com.br