LOGAN – Another lawsuit has been filed related to a June helicopter crash that left six people dead during Logan’s annual Freedom Festival.
Mary Grace Furnas, as executrix of the estate of Carolyn Ann O’Connor, filed her complaint January 27 in Logan Circuit Court against Appalachian Power Company and United Affiliates Corporation.
According to the complaint, O’Connor was a passenger in a Huey helicopter that crashed when it came in contact with a series of overhead power lines constructed, owned and maintained by Appalachian Power on land owned by UAC. The helicopter burst into flames, and O’Connor died because of the crash.
Tiano
| Courtesy photo
“The powerlines were unmarked and provided no warning as to their location and, as a result, the helicopter struck the powerlines, killing all occupants of the helicopter, including Carolyn O’Connor,” the complaint states. “
O’Connor and five others on board died in the crash. At least two other lawsuits have been filed by estates of victims. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the crash said the helicopter hit two power cables before crashing into a rock face. The final report has not been released.
The complaint says the power lines were run at or above 200 feet above the ground, which is in violation of Federal Aviation Administration rules, and should have been marked with warning devices to protect aircraft. It says AEP should have known of the risks and had marked similar lines in the area.
The estate accuses the defendant companies of negligence and of strict liability.
The complaint says O’Connor suffered pre-death pain and suffering, mental and physical anguish. It also says Furnas and other beneficiaries have suffered losses under the West Virginia Wrongful Death Statute.
Furnas seeks joint and several compensatory damages as well as punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interests, court costs, attorney fees and other relief.
Furnas is being represented by William M. Tiano of Tiano O’Dell in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Joshua Butcher.
Logan Circuit Court case number 23-C-7