ORLANDO — Individuals are suing Bobby W. Riggs, an aircraft owner, citing alleged negligence.
Keith Morvant and Lynne Frederick filed a complaint on Oct. 18, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Orlando Division against Bobby W. Riggs alleging that the aircraft owner failed to exercise standard care.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that, on April 4, the wife and daughter to plaintiffs, Johna Morvant, boarded a helicopter owned by the defendant for a sightseeing tour of the Smokey Mountains with her visiting children, stepsons and grandchildren of the plaintiffs, when the rented helicopter suddenly and uncontrollably crashed to the ground and burst into flames, killing all the passengers including plaintiffs' decedent Johna, thereby causing damages to plaintiffs including mental pain, suffering and anguish, loss of decedent's future earnings, funeral expenses, loss of services and support, loss of inheritance, and loss of care, comfort, society and companionship.
The plaintiffs hold Bobby W. Riggs responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to perform adequate inspection and maintenance of a helicopter to ensure a safe flight and failed to ensure a competent pilot to fly the helicopter.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant, interest, attorney's fees, costs of suit and further relief to which they may be entitled. They are represented by Marcus R. Spagnoletti of Spagnoletti & Co. in Houston.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Orlando Division Case number 6:16-cv-01805