Continental Airlines Runway Accident Lawsuit Filed by Passengers

Two passengers injured last month when a Continental Airlines flight from Colorado to Houston crashed during takeoff, have filed what is believed to be the first lawsuit involving the runway accident.

Continental Airlines Flight 1404 veered off of the runway and into a ravine at Denver International Airport on December 20, 2008, in what was the only major airplane accident involving a U.S. airline in the past two years.

All 110 passengers and 4 crew members escaped alive from the airplane before it caught fire from a ruptured fuel tank on the right wing, but at least 37 people reported suffering an injury in the crash.

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While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still investigating what caused the airplane crash, a lawsuit was filed against Continental Airlines and two pilots on January 12, 2009, in Texas state court in Harris County.

The airline accident lawsuit was file by Texas women, Melissa Craft, 25, and Emily Pellegrini, 21, who allege negligence caused the aborted takeoff, possibly due to a combination of pilot error and mechanical fault.

According to the Houston Chronical, Craft suffered a back injury and emotional trauma in the airplane crash, as well as lost property such as jewelry and ski equipment. Pellerini suffered emotional trauma as a result of her inability to open her seatbelt following the crash, and a subsequent slip and fall injury caused by jet fuel that had leaked from a ruptured tank.

Continental Airlines has indicated that the lawsuits are premature, as the reason for the crash is still being investigated.

According to a report published by USA Today on Monday, because there were no fatalities in the Continental airplane runway crash, last year was the second year in a row in which no airline passengers died in an accident.

Only four years since 1958 have not involved any U.S. airline passenger deaths, and 2007 and 2008 were two of them.

8 Comments

  • Plane Crash Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Over Buffalo Accident : AboutLawsuits.comMarch 2, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    [...] December 20, 2008, a Continental plane crashed during takeoff in Colorado, but there were no fatalities among the 110 passengers and 4 crew members on board. On [...]

  • ajFebruary 27, 2009 at 7:06 am

    They should not sue: they are okay.

  • US Airways Accident Lawsuits May Still be Filed Despite Miracle on the Hudson : AboutLawsuits.comJanuary 23, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    [...] incident involving a U.S. airline in the last two years occurred on December 20, 2008, when in a Continental Airlines accident where the plane skidded off of the runway in Denver. Although no fatalities or serious injuries [...]

  • kimJanuary 19, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    Please!!! You both are just plain low lives!! God should not have spared your lives that day!! Or Maybe, you two sold your soul to the Devil????

  • TeeTeeJanuary 15, 2009 at 5:58 am

    It's sad we have come to a society that sues on the regular but when facts are known and withheld, someone has to be accountable. Yes we are thankful to God for giving us life after the fact but look at the monetary impact left on us that are disabled due to error.

  • KJanuary 14, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    How pathetic do you have to be to not see how fortunate you are to be alive and that you have a second chance at life?! You walked away from a plane crash having absolutely no idea what the pilots did to save your life and you think they owe you something? YOU SHOULD BE DEAD! You owe them everything! Be thankful, count your blessings and ask the Lord to forgive you!!!

  • JamesJanuary 14, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    You should THANK that pilot for saving your worthless lives. You obviously have no idea how quickly that pilot had to respond to an emergency situation to prevent the plane from being completely destroyed. You are all lucky to be alive and owe that fact to the OUTSTANDING job done by the pilot. Stop looking for a quick payday at the expense of everyone else and accept the fact that life has ris[Show More]You should THANK that pilot for saving your worthless lives. You obviously have no idea how quickly that pilot had to respond to an emergency situation to prevent the plane from being completely destroyed. You are all lucky to be alive and owe that fact to the OUTSTANDING job done by the pilot. Stop looking for a quick payday at the expense of everyone else and accept the fact that life has risks. People like you make me sick.

  • jimJanuary 14, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    These 2 gold digging broads should be thankful that they are alive today thanks to the maintenance upkeep, pilot skills and flight attendant evacuation. Preliminary reports state wind shear, which will difficult to find fault of Continental. Ski equipment and jewelery loss? Please, give me a break you two boobs. I'm sure any of the passengers aboard the four jets on 9/11 would gladly trade pla[Show More]These 2 gold digging broads should be thankful that they are alive today thanks to the maintenance upkeep, pilot skills and flight attendant evacuation. Preliminary reports state wind shear, which will difficult to find fault of Continental. Ski equipment and jewelery loss? Please, give me a break you two boobs. I'm sure any of the passengers aboard the four jets on 9/11 would gladly trade places with you. Get a life! My mistake, Continental saved yours.

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