The son of a man who was killed In a West Virginia helicopter crash in June is suing the company that operated the helicopter and others for wrongful death.
Sixty-four-year-old Marvin Bledsoe was one of six passengers who died after the Vietnam-era Bell UH-1B “Huey” helicopter crashed roughly fifteen minutes after taking flight.
Every year Logan County's MARPAT Aviation puts on a reunion for helicopter enthusiasts. During the celebration, individuals have the opportunity to board the Huey helicopter in exchange for a monetary donation. The helicopter has a long-standing history as it was used throughout the 1960s in Vinh Long Vietnam by the 114th Assault Helicopter Company.
Named in the lawsuit is the helicopter's owner and operator MARPAT Aviation. Bledsoe’s son, Brian Bledsoe, alleges that MARPAT Aviation was negligent because they allowed an “unsafe and improperly equipped 60-year-old experimental aircraft without proper FAA credentials” to take flight.
The lawsuit also names American Electric Power and United Affiliates Corporation because the helicopter crashed after coming into contact with “unmarked, high elevation power lines.” These power lines were installed by American Electric Power on land owned by the United Affiliates Corporation. The lawsuit also explains that the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration guidelines detailed that the power lines should have been marked in a manner that would protect aircraft from flying into the area.
The lawsuit details that the helicopter lost control after it came in contact with an unmarked power line, causing it to crash and hit a rock face. After the helicopter crashed, it erupted in a blaze that kept rescue and medical personnel from reaching the potential survivors.
Bledsoe emphasized in his lawsuit that had the aircraft been retrofitted with a crash-resistant fuel system, the blaze upon impact and any fire-related injuries could have been avoided.
The lawsuit goes on to add that the helicopter's frame “had been subject to innumerable stressors and abuses for 60 years,” adding that it was not suitable for passenger flights.
A preliminary report on the crash was released by the NTSB in July. However, a full report detailing the cause of the accident has yet to be released. This will likely be released within another year or two according to officials
According to the family's attorney, Mark Troy, Bledsoe is seeking “compensatory and punitive damages to the fullest extent of the law.”
After Bledsoe filed his lawsuit on behalf of his father, another lawsuit was filed related to the crash. Jason Collins, the son of Jack Collins, also filed a lawsuit in Logan County Circuit Court alleging his father was wrongfully killed. Collins’ lawsuit alleges similar claims that the helicopter company was negligent in their operation of the Vietnam-era aircraft.
