Mom Blames Air Traffic Controllers For Deadly Helicopter Crash
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's the deadliest medical helicopter crash in Maryland history. Now the mother of a teenager who died in that crash is placing the blame on the air traffic controllers.
Weijia Jiang explains the lawsuit filed Monday.
Two and a half years ago, 17-year-old Ashley Younger's life was cut short.
"She was really my friend, my everything. We grew up together," said her mother, Stephanie Younger.
Younger spoke out days after the September 2008 crash that killed Ashley who, along with three others, died after the state police helicopter they were riding in crashed near Andrews Air Force Base.
"I'm in limbo from the time of the accident to 4 that morning, not knowing if my daughter's OK, not knowing anything," she said.
On Monday, Younger's lawyer filed a suit against the Federal Aviation Administration, claiming the air traffic controllers gave the pilot bad weather information.
The Younger family also plans to file a lawsuit against the state of Maryland. They say the chopper never should have launched in the first place.
"Looking back, these two patients could have been transported by ground transport. There were all kinds of errors made," said their attorney, Cara Luther.
In fact, the crash evoked widespread concern that people whose injuries are not critical are often flown by helicopter instead of driven by ambulance.
Younger had been riding in the car Jordan Wells was driving when Wells smashed into a tree. Wells was the only survivor of the crash.
"I wish she was here," Wells said.
Spokespeople for the FAA and Maryland State Police say the agencies have no comment about this pending litigation.
The families of the other three victims in the crash---along with Wells---have also filed lawsuits.
