AVIATION ACCIDENT: Lawsuit filed against Edison over helicopter crash

March 23, 2010

Los Angeles - The family of the state biologist who died in a helicopter crash in Sierra Nevada foothills has filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison.

Edison now faces charges for the death of California Department of Fish and Game biologist Clu Clotter, and three other state scientists when the helicopter got caught on power lines, and burst into flames on January 5, 2010. The three state scientists were identified as Clu Clotter, Kevin O' Connor, and Dennis Donovan.

Los Angeles Superior Court received the fatal wreck lawsuit last week. The defendants were named as Landells Aviation (owner) and Southern California Edison.

According to reports, Bell 206 helicopter tilt lower, approaching Redinger Lake, and got caught in power lines. The scientists were supposed to research on the food pattern of deer herds.

Fatal wreck lawsuit includes complaints of negligence wherein the 100-feet power lines were found to be loosely hanging. Warning signals are required on static lines as set by Industry standards. Clotter's family claimed that Edison failed to install such warning signals.

Elaine Landells, owner of Landells Aviation of Desert Hot Springs, commented that she assumed no lawsuit charges because they have suffered damages too.

"This is so sad and upsetting that it gets my stomach churning every time I hear about the crash. We're not going to get over it for a long time," she said.

National Transportation Safety Board report showed that a static line was broken after the crash. The rotor blades of the helicopter showed scrapes caused by the broken static line.

Stephen Cornwell, Fresno company lawyer for Fish and Game's three scientists, also noted that the sagged grounding wires were hazardous in terms of design and maintenance.

Two witnesses told investigators how Bell 206 helicopter steered well along Willow creek before the crash.