BELLEVILLE — A pilot is suing an aviation maintenance company after the plane he was flying crashed in South Carolina, resulting in his daughter's death.
Melissa Dawn Thomey, as Administrator of the Estate of Madeline Rose Thomey, deceased, and Deane E. Thomey and Melissa Dawn Thomey, individually, filed a complaint on Oct. 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Big River Aviation LLC and Big River Hangers LLC, formerly known as Big River Aviation LLC, alleging wrongful death and negligence.
On Oct. 22, 2021, Deane Thomey was piloting a Piper PA 32R-300 model aircraft with his daughter, Madeline Thomey, on board as a passenger, according to the plaintiffs' complaint. The plaintiffs claim the plane was traveling from Virginia to Miami, Florida, when it suffered a "catastrophic engine failure" and crashed in South Carolina. The suit states that Deane Thomey suffered severe injuries and Madeline Thomey died in the crash.
The plaintiffs allege that months prior to the crash, the defendant conducted service and inspection to the plane, including its engine and fuel system, which showed the aircraft was airworthy when it was not. They also allege the defendant failed to properly inform or warn Thomey of the extent of problems with the plane so he could have made an informed decision as to fly the aircraft.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, interest trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Michael Krzak of The Krzak Rundio Law Group LLC in Chicago and Jeanne O'Grady of Speiser Krause in Rye Brook, New York.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA1199