Status conference set in lawsuit against Ozark Air Services

Ozark Air Services is fighting a lawsuit filed by an insurance provider which claims it botched a repair job worth more than $140,000.

Old Republic Insurance Company, as subrogee for Merlin Aviation LLC, filed a lawsuit April 29 against Ozark Air Services.

According to the lawsuit, Merlin hired Ozark to repair one of its planes, a Beech King Air 2000. While working on the plane at its Vector Drive location in Cahokia, Ozark allowed the right engine of the Beech King to drop to the ground, the complaint states.

Merlin says the engine suffered significant damage and filed a claim with Old Republic to cover the repair or replacement costs. The insurance company claims it paid Merlin nearly $142,000 to repair the engine and now wants to collect that money from the shop it says is ultimately liable for the damages.

Ozark Air Services stated in its response to the lawsuit that the plaintiff fails to state a cause of action and has failed to mitigate its damages. The company demands a trial by jury.

Old Republic Insurance Company on June 14 denied it had failed to state a cause of action and failed to mitigate damages.

A status conference in the case is scheduled for Aug. 13. The case is assigned to St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert LeChien.

Robert J. Kelleher of Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer in Chicago represents the plaintiff.

Robert J. Bassett and Jennifer L. Dickerson of Williams Venker & Sanders in St. Louis represent the defense.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-221