DENVER — A passenger on a plane that was evacuated after its engine caught fire at Denver International Airport last month has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines.
Jerry Adamson, who is from Texas and is represented by Ramos Law, filed the lawsuit Monday in Denver district court. It alleges negligence on the part of the airline.
The flight was en route from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth on March 13 when it was diverted to Denver. An engine caught fire after landing, while taxiing to the gate. Passengers onboard were evacuated, and 12 people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, an airport spokesperson said at the time.
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The lawsuit says Adamson was seated in 31E, near the back of the plane. When the aircraft stopped and started filling with smoke, the lawsuit says, he “made his way through the chaos,” exited through the right rear exit and slid down the emergency evacuation slide.
As he evacuated the plane, Adamson “inhaled copious amounts of smoke and fire retardant,” the lawsuit says. He was then taken to the hospital via ambulance, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges American was negligent in several ways, including failing to follow emergency checklists and standard operating procedures, failing to request emergency assistance in a timely manner, and failing to evacuate passengers away from the burning engine.
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American Airlines has not yet responded to a 9NEWS request for comment about the lawsuit.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the fire.