Two families of victims killed in the recent Lion Air crash are filing wrongful death lawsuits against Boeing, with attorneys alleging that the tragedy was caused by a defective anti-stall system and the aircraft manufacturer’s defective flight manual and operating procedures.
“Boeing knew or should have known its aircraft and flight operations manual were unsafe and created a significant safety hazard, but the defendant failed to notify or warn anyone, which has caused immense pain and loss for surviving family members,” said co-counsel, Steven Hart with Hart, McLaughlin & Eldridge.
Shortly after the crash, Boeing issued an updated Operations Manual Bulletin directing operators to existing flight crew procedures to address circumstances where there is erroneous input from an AOA sensor.
Issuing bulletins, the aircraft manufacturer said in a statement, was standard procedure carried out “whenever appropriate”.
Some have reportedly pointed fingers at the pilot’s response to the erroneous readings, rather than the technical issue itself or Boeing’s failure to include the relevant operating procedures in the original manual, as having a part to play in the tragedy.
The 737 MAX 8 departed from Jakarta’s Soekarno – Hatta International Airport around 06.21 on October 29, 2018. Shortly after takeoff, the Lion Air crew contacted air traffic controllers and requested a return to Jakarta. The aircraft received authorisation to return, but it did not manage a turnaround.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft bank left, make significant altitude shifts, and then drop sharply.
Data from flight radars showed the plane was at an altitude of about 5,000 feet when its final descent began. The aircraft plummeted into the sea and disintegrated upon impact, killing everyone onboard.
According to Kabateck LLP, the firm heading the plaintiffs’ legal team, more families are expected to engage the legal team “particularly given recent concern about attempts in Indonesia to coerce family members into signing away their right to seek justice in court”.
“It has come to our attention that there have been attempts to get families who are unrepresented by counsel to sign away their rights to sue parties like Boeing in exchange for insurance payouts that are required by statute. The families must get full recovery from all responsible parties,” said founding partner Brian Kabateck.
“We will make sure that families seeking recovery against Boeing are protected. We have coordinated with local Indonesian counsel who will work with us to protect our clients and the rights of all the victims in this matter,” added co-counsel Sanjiv Singh.
Last month, a court in the US allowed passengers of Emirates 521, which crashed two years ago, to sue Boeing for damages caused. A lawsuit was originally filed in the UAE, but was rejected by the judge.
Azizan Noordin will step down as CEO of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) on November 30, with industry members of the opinion that the Malaysian tourism veteran is ending his tenure on a high note.
With his replacement yet to be named, deputy CEO Asri Redha Abdul Rahman will helm the organisation in the interim.
Azizan may only have been in active service for 24 months, but he has made a significant impact on the island’s inbound tourism, which some attribute partly to his time at Tourism Malaysia, where he served for over 38 years before retiring in 2016 as deputy director-general (promotion).
Adam Kamal, secretary-general at Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, said: “Azizan has done a wonderful job. One of the first things he did when he came into office was to draw up a calendar of events which has generally helped all inbound agents to plan their marketing campaigns so that it coincides with these events.
“He also had big ideas on developing Langkawi’s appeal and he worked tirelessly to attract more foreign airlines and charters to fly to Langkawi.”
Eric R Sinnaya, managing director, Morahols Travel and also the executive council member of Malaysia Tourism Council, said: “Azizan has brought a lot of positive changes to Langkawi. He has a tourism-related mindset and he knew what holiday makers wanted and that creating sporting and musical events in Langkawi will attract more tourists and millennials. He also had the respect and support from the private sector. In turn, he listened to their issues and found amicable solutions.”
Under his leadership and guidance, LADA organised 33 tourism events in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Some of these events become part of the annual tourism calendar for Langkawi, including the Royal Langkawi Classic Car Show, The Royal Langkawi Superbike Show and Langkawi Island Blues & Roots Aseana.
Ironman Malaysia, held in Langkawi earlier this month, attracted 2,400 participants from 70 countries. Azizan said that counting coaches, family and friends of participants, the destination welcomed around 7,000 visitors on the island for the event.
Moreover, Azizan and his team at LADA co-organised this year’s PATA Travel Mart (PTM) with Tourism Malaysia, a first for the state of Kedah.
Speaking to TTG Asia, Azizan said he is very proud of the execution of PTM and its role in raising awareness of Langkawi as an island destination for tourism at an international level.
Organising the show was done on a tight budget and required the co-operation with the private sector and the Langkawi Tourism Association.
He elaborated: “PTM has attracted quality buyers and we are seeing new agents from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Germany who are now selling Langkawi. We are also seeing increased visitors from China, Saudi Arabia and India.”
He is also instrumental in promoting Langkawi as the gateway to the northern mainland states of Perlis and Kedah.
As well, in his time at LADA, he has worked to improve air connectivity and was able to attract charter flights from China, some of which became scheduled flights.
He added that Qatar Airways has shown interest and that soon, there will be direct flights between Langkawi and India.
Azizan said he will continue to serve as vice chairman of PATA until mid 2019 and wishes to continue to be active in the tourism industry. He further shared that he is hoping to be attached to a local travel-related agency and PATA member so he can continue as vice president at PATA into the next term.