Family of Pilot Killed Fighting Wildfires Sues Aircraft Company

This has been a particularly bad year for wildfires here in California, with thousands of residents suffering injuries, loss and property damage. In August, a helicopter pilot lost his life when his aircraft crashed as he was dropping water on a wildfire. On December 9, his family filed a lawsuit against the companies responsible for manufacturing and maintaining the helicopter.

The Associated Press reports that Michael Fournier of Rancho Cucamonga, California, died on August 19 as he was fighting the Hills wildfire near Coalinga, CA. He was in the middle of one of several helicopter water drops when his aircraft suddenly dropped and burst into flames.

Moments before it spun out of control, Fournier radioed a pilot behind him reporting that his hydraulics were failing. The other pilot was attempting to find Fournier a safe place to land when he saw the aircraft begin spinning and crash to the ground.

Fournier’s wife and two daughters filed suit against the UH-1H helicopter’s manufacturer, Arrow-Falcon Exporters of Porterville, California, as well as the company that services it, Rotocraft Support Inc. of Fillmore, California. Both companies are being accused of negligence and wrongful death.

Rotocraft did not respond to the Associated Press’ request for comment, but an individual who answered the phone at Arrow-Falcon stated they were unaware of the lawsuit. A report regarding the accident won’t be available from the National Transportation Safety Board for 18 to 24 months.

However, preliminary reports indeed point to a failure or malfunction of the hydraulics system.

Wildfires continue to burn

As of this writing, the Bond Fire and Sanderson Fire are still active, with firefighters working to contain them completely. If you have not been affected by the California wildfires this year, right now is a good time to review your insurance policies to ensure you have the proper coverage for every natural disaster.

If you have been affected by the wildfires, we want to help you secure compensation for your losses. We can help you file a claim or hold the right parties accountable for your damages. We know, in these situations, you need help quickly. To schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced Los Angeles attorney at McNicholas & McNicholas, call 310-474-1582, or reach out to us through our contact page to tell us your story.

Please note that this blog is not to be construed as legal advice. Because every case is fact-specific, you should consult directly with an attorney to obtain legal advice specific to your situation.