A lawsuit has been filed against American Airlines by Jerry Adamson, a passenger from a flight that caught fire after diverting to Denver International Airport. The incident took place last month and involved a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Adamson, one of over 170 passengers and six crew members evacuated from the aircraft, filed the legal action in Denver District Court, accusing the airline of negligence and misconduct.
According to the court documents, the lawsuit claims that Adamson has sustained injuries and losses as a direct result of the airline’s negligent actions. These include both past and anticipated future medical expenses, as well as pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
The flight, which departed from Colorado Springs Airport at 4:52 p.m. on March 13, was en route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport but was diverted to Denver after 20 minutes in the air. The lawsuit notes that the aircraft was flying unusually slowly for a Boeing 787-900.
The legal action asserts that American Airlines and its employees failed to exercise reasonable care in both the maintenance and operation of the aircraft. Specific allegations include claims that the flight crew did not adequately follow emergency procedures, failed to request timely emergency help, and did not evacuate the passengers efficiently. Furthermore, the lawsuit argues that the aircraft should have returned to Colorado Springs instead of diverting to Denver.
The lawsuit further accuses the airline of failing to properly train and supervise its staff, which it says constitutes negligence. It points out that the crew decided to operate the aircraft despite known engine issues and opted to taxi with a malfunctioning engine rather than seeking assistance from the airport.
The flight crew reportedly informed air traffic controllers at Denver Airport that they would not be declaring an emergency and declined assistance upon landing. After the aircraft landed, it taxied for approximately eight minutes before the right engine ignited, prompting the first “Mayday” call.
During the evacuation, Adamson reportedly inhaled significant amounts of smoke and fire retardant, leading to his hospitalization. He was among 12 individuals treated at the University of Colorado Hospital, all of whom have since been discharged, as reported by The Denver Post.
