LeChien sets status conference in lawsuit against Ozark Air Services

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert LeChien earlier this month set a Nov. 13 status conference in an insurance provider's case against Ozark Air Services.

Old Republic Insurance Co., as subrogee for Merlin Aviation LLC, sued Ozark on April 29, claiming it had botched a repair job worth more than $140,000.

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, the complaint alleges that Ozark allowed the right engine of the Beech King to drop to the ground.

Claiming the engine suffered significant damage, Merlin filed a claim with Old Republic to cover the repair or replacement costs. The insurance company contends 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 stated in its response to the lawsuit that the plaintiff fails to state a cause of action and has failed to mitigate its damages. Old Republic on June 14 denied those allegations.

Robert J. Kelleher of Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer in Chicago represents Old Republic.

Robert J. Bassett and Jennifer L. Dickerson of Williams Venker & Sanders in St. Louis represent Ozark Air Services.

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