NEW YORK - Californer -- Jonathan W. Johnson, LLC filed a lawsuit in New York City for an author and journalist who was on board Southwest Airlines flight 1380 on April 17, 2018. The aircraft was a Boeing 737 that had just departed New York-LaGuardia Airport in route to Dallas and was about twenty minutes into the flight when one of the engines suddenly exploded in flight.
William V. Madison is a journalist, author, and editor living in New York City. At CBS News, he worked closely with Dan Rather for 12 years as a writer and producer, also assisting the anchor on four books, including the New York Times best seller "Deadlines & Datelines." He was Connie Chung's associate producer on ABC News' coverage of New Year's Eve Y2K, and for three years he served as associate editor of Opera News magazine. In 1986, he was the production assistant for Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz's Broadway musical "Rags."
A graduate of Brown University, with an M.F.A. from Columbia's School of the Arts, he is the author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life, the critically acclaimed biography of the Oscar-nominated actress and singer. He recently edited My Life in Song, the memoir of the legendary Czechoslovakian soprano Jarmila Novotná; he is currently collaborating on the autobiography of Fredd Tree, a veteran of the Stonewall rebellion.
Mr. Madison was traveling to Texas to visit relatives. He experienced the panic and horror that shocked all 144 passengers when the exploding engine parts became dangerous projectiles that damaged the aircraft's fuselage and shattered a passenger window. This resulted in explosive decompression inside the cabin of the aircraft and sent debris flying through the cabin.
More on The Californer
He was seated seven rows behind the shattered window, and he watched in horror as the passenger nearest the window was sucked into the opening and trapped there in helpless agony. It was a horrible nightmare for everyone onboard—he felt that the airplane was going to crash.
Ultimately, the pilot, managed to bring the aircraft under control and make an emergency landing in Philadelphia. Some of the passengers extricated the unconscious and critically injured passenger who had been sucked into the window, and after the plane touched down others administered CPR until the medics arrived. That passenger died as a result of the incident. Mr. Madison's visit home ended due to the traumatic nightmare that has left him with emotional scars from the Boeing 737 flight.. Instead of taking a new flight to Texas, he took the train back to New York.
The lawsuit alleges "Boeing's willful, wanton and reckless disregard for the safety of passengers aboard its aircraft." Boeing's pattern of reckless conduct is manifested by other horribly tragic crashes, the most recent being Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 that crashed in Ethiopia on March 10, 2019 and took the lives of 157 people; the Lion Air Flight 610 that crashed in the sea off the coast of Indonesia on October 29, 2018 and killed 189 people; and Global Air Flight 972 that crashed in Mexico on May 18, 2018 with 112 fatalities. Additionally, the lawsuit is asserting that Boeing had knowledge that this systemic failure in safety could result in significant loss of life and enormous suffering by survivors. For those reasons, the lawsuit seeks substantial punitive damages from Boeing for a preventable incident. In addition, the engine of the Boeing 737 and its protective cowling should have been designed with material and structural integrity to contain any shrapnel from a failed engine component and prevent it from penetrating the passenger cabin.
More on The Californer
The lawsuit also alleges that Southwest Airlines failed to properly maintain and inspect the aircraft's engines and also asserts liability against the companies that manufactured the engines. Investigations by the NTSB have revealed that an engine fan blade failed and that there was evidence of metal fatigue where the blade broke off. The shrapnel penetrated the passenger cabin causing explosive decompression inside the aircraft. Airlines are common carriers and generally owe the "highest duty of care" to fare paying passengers. The case was filed in New York Supreme Court in New York County, Index No. 151536/2020.
About The Law Firm
Jonathan W. Johnson is an attorney located in Atlanta, Georgia who has been involved in the litigation of aviation accident cases for 27 years. He may be reached at by phone at (404) 298-0795 or by email at jwj@johnson-lawyer.com. His website is iwww.jonathanjohnsonatlantalawyer.com
William V. Madison is a journalist, author, and editor living in New York City. At CBS News, he worked closely with Dan Rather for 12 years as a writer and producer, also assisting the anchor on four books, including the New York Times best seller "Deadlines & Datelines." He was Connie Chung's associate producer on ABC News' coverage of New Year's Eve Y2K, and for three years he served as associate editor of Opera News magazine. In 1986, he was the production assistant for Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz's Broadway musical "Rags."
A graduate of Brown University, with an M.F.A. from Columbia's School of the Arts, he is the author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life, the critically acclaimed biography of the Oscar-nominated actress and singer. He recently edited My Life in Song, the memoir of the legendary Czechoslovakian soprano Jarmila Novotná; he is currently collaborating on the autobiography of Fredd Tree, a veteran of the Stonewall rebellion.
Mr. Madison was traveling to Texas to visit relatives. He experienced the panic and horror that shocked all 144 passengers when the exploding engine parts became dangerous projectiles that damaged the aircraft's fuselage and shattered a passenger window. This resulted in explosive decompression inside the cabin of the aircraft and sent debris flying through the cabin.
More on The Californer
- Highway 371 Business Association to launch app
- Triangle Real Estate Group Announces 2019 Top Producers Award Winners
- Long Beach: Coronavirus Update
- San Jose: Annual President's Break Camp San José Reaches Children City-wide
- San Jose: Volunteers Work Hard to Beautify Community
He was seated seven rows behind the shattered window, and he watched in horror as the passenger nearest the window was sucked into the opening and trapped there in helpless agony. It was a horrible nightmare for everyone onboard—he felt that the airplane was going to crash.
Ultimately, the pilot, managed to bring the aircraft under control and make an emergency landing in Philadelphia. Some of the passengers extricated the unconscious and critically injured passenger who had been sucked into the window, and after the plane touched down others administered CPR until the medics arrived. That passenger died as a result of the incident. Mr. Madison's visit home ended due to the traumatic nightmare that has left him with emotional scars from the Boeing 737 flight.. Instead of taking a new flight to Texas, he took the train back to New York.
The lawsuit alleges "Boeing's willful, wanton and reckless disregard for the safety of passengers aboard its aircraft." Boeing's pattern of reckless conduct is manifested by other horribly tragic crashes, the most recent being Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 that crashed in Ethiopia on March 10, 2019 and took the lives of 157 people; the Lion Air Flight 610 that crashed in the sea off the coast of Indonesia on October 29, 2018 and killed 189 people; and Global Air Flight 972 that crashed in Mexico on May 18, 2018 with 112 fatalities. Additionally, the lawsuit is asserting that Boeing had knowledge that this systemic failure in safety could result in significant loss of life and enormous suffering by survivors. For those reasons, the lawsuit seeks substantial punitive damages from Boeing for a preventable incident. In addition, the engine of the Boeing 737 and its protective cowling should have been designed with material and structural integrity to contain any shrapnel from a failed engine component and prevent it from penetrating the passenger cabin.
More on The Californer
- San Jose: Teens Set Sail for Alcatraz
- Chris Comet & The Tribe 'Reaching New Horizons' - Independent/USA Import
- House to vote on Nationwide Flavor Ban. Why is House bill HR 2339 so Important - Provape
- Xlear Returns To Expo West With Its Popular Sinus And Oral Care Products
- Best-Selling Author, Elizabeth St. John, Visits Kansas City, Describes Her Ancestor's Life in the Tower of London
The lawsuit also alleges that Southwest Airlines failed to properly maintain and inspect the aircraft's engines and also asserts liability against the companies that manufactured the engines. Investigations by the NTSB have revealed that an engine fan blade failed and that there was evidence of metal fatigue where the blade broke off. The shrapnel penetrated the passenger cabin causing explosive decompression inside the aircraft. Airlines are common carriers and generally owe the "highest duty of care" to fare paying passengers. The case was filed in New York Supreme Court in New York County, Index No. 151536/2020.
About The Law Firm
Jonathan W. Johnson is an attorney located in Atlanta, Georgia who has been involved in the litigation of aviation accident cases for 27 years. He may be reached at by phone at (404) 298-0795 or by email at jwj@johnson-lawyer.com. His website is iwww.jonathanjohnsonatlantalawyer.com
Source: Jonathan W. Johnson LLC
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Growing Up and Giving Back - Seanna Pereira reaches new audiences
- W+R Studios Receives The Startup Weekly's 2020 Software Companies to Watch Award
- Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Norman Yee Call for San Francisco Families to Become Foster Parents to Children in Need
- Cappello's Innovates Again With World's First Grain-Free White Pizza
- San Francisco: Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Matt Haney Announce Legislation to Authorize New Overdose Prevention Programs
- Bobo's Warms Hearts And Fills Stomachs At Expo West With Multiple New Product Offerings
- New Presentation Switches from ATEN Technology, Inc. Boost Impact of Professional Presentations
- California: TODAY: In San Jose, Governor Newsom to Visit Tiny Home Residents at Bridge Housing Community Site
- California: TODAY: State Health Officials, Governor to Provide an Update on the State's Response to Novel Coronavirus
- Fody Foods Unveils Revamped Branding at Natural Products Expo West
- Extended Support for ez1095 Software On February 2, 2020 For March 2 Deadline
- Transit Screen Software, TransitAccess™, Goes Greener with Car Charging Stations
- Turnkey business opportunity hotel in Historic District of Lanesboro
- Alten Construction bestowed 2020 Best of Richmond Award
- San Francisco Stress and Anxiety Center has opened a brand new office in San Jose!
- Hyundai Repairs Covered by autopom! Vehicle Protection Plans
- The Behemoth's Alien Hominid Invasion: First Look Gameplay
- INVESTOR ACTION REMINDER: The Schall Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Lawsuit Against Tupperware Brands Corporation and Encourages Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 to Contact the Firm
- Ancient Resource Auctions' March 14th online sale has authentic antiquities, ethnographic art, more
- Kobe Bryant Signed and Inscribed Middle School Yearbook is up for Bid in Iconic Auctions Online Sale