US Airways crew members file lawsuit over fumes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sixteen US Airways crew members have filed a lawsuit against an airline maintenance company, claiming the company failed to adequately do its job.

The lawsuit against ST Aerospace Mobile was filed in an Alabama circuit court.

The crew members said they were exposed to toxic fumes from a leak on a plane, causing a number of health issues; including sore throats, headaches and cognitive difficulties.

On a March flight from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to Jamaica nine people, including passengers and crew members, became so sick they had to be hospitalized.

“As a result of the fume events that they (crew members) were a part of, they have been unable to get back to the life they had before,” said Jay Howanitz of the Spohrer & Dodd law firm.

The suit claims that crews from ST Aerospace inspected and provided maintenance on a U.S. Airways Boeing 767 plane with the tail number of 0251 in December of 2008.

The lawsuit also said that despite complaints about the plane, it was allowed back into service and flew on several flights from December of 2009 to April of 2010. According to the lawsuit, crew members and passengers were exposed to toxic fumes from the plane’s ventilation during that time.

ST Aerospace plans to comment on the lawsuit after it has a chance to look over the documents.

The lawsuit does not name U.S. Airways, but the plaintiffs’ lawyer says they could name other entities once more information comes to light.