Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed In Connection with Fatal Everglades Plane Crash

(Fort Lauderdale, FL)— The sister of Phillip Marsh, passenger in a single engine airplane that crashed in the Everglades September 20th, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Fort Lauderdale aviation company alleged to be responsible for servicing and maintaining the aircraft. The 46-year old Marsh, of Fort Lauderdale, and three others, died when the engine caught fire and the plane plummeted to the marshy ground near the Francis Taylor Conservation Area in Broward County. They were minutes away from landing at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport after spending the weekend in Gainesville to attend a University of Florida football game. The Piper PA-32R-301T was owned and piloted by Bruce Barber, a college friend of Marsh’s. Nanci Hirschorn, acting as personal representative of Marsh’s estate, filed the lawsuit against Schmidt Aviation Inc. on Friday, October 16. The suit blames Schmidt for the engine fire because it “negligently maintained and serviced” the aircraft. Specifically, the suit claims the company “failed to properly inspect and maintain the aircraft’s turbo wastegate valve” which had allegedly cracked and failed on at least three prior occasions. Schmidt Aviation should have known that improper maintenance would have created an “unreasonable risk of danger that would likely result in an engine compartment fire with the potential for injuries and death to the passengers aboard the aircraft,” according to the complaint filed in Broward Circuit Court. “We now believe this plane was engulfed in an inferno before it crashed,” said attorney Robert W. Kelley, who represents the family. “No final conclusions have been reached, but our investigation is proceeding simultaneously with that of the NTSB.” Hirschorn is suing for damages to cover funeral and burial expenses as well as compensation for pain and suffering and loss of income that Marsh would have earned in his job as a medical equipment salesman. About Kelley / Uustal Robert Kelley and John Uustal formed their team of seasoned trial attorneys with more than 50 years of combined courtroom experience and more than 100 jury trials.  The firm focuses its practice on securing compensation for clients who have been left physically and/or financially devastated by a catastrophic injury or event.  The attorneys have been instrumental in securing more than $250 million in jury awards and settlements for clients.  For more information, visit www.justiceforall.com

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