Travis Barker, punk musician and former Blink-182 drummer, has filed a lawsuit against several companies whose actions he claims caused the plane crash in South Carolina on September 19, 2008. He was badly burned and several of his friends were killed after the charter Learjet burst into flames after an aborted takeoff.
Barker is suing Global Exec Aviation, a Long Beach charter company, as well as Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and an airplane maintenance company. The suit seeks damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of earnings as well as medical and legal expenses.
The suit claims that the companies named are responsible for improperly operating and maintaining the Learjet that overshot the runway and burst into flames. The lawsuit further alleges that the Learjet was ‘defective’ and faults pilots, claiming they were improperly trained and should have tried to take off. Two pilots were killed, along with Barker’s assistant, Chris Baker, and his bodyguard, Charles Moore Still.
In a statement, Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey said it was “unfortunate” the suit was filed before the NTSB investigation is finalized. “It is too early to speculate on a cause.”
Thelma Martin Still, who lost her son in the crash, has joined the lawsuit, seeking damages for grief and sorrow, funeral expenses and loss of earnings.
Check out a photo from 2003 below.