SAN JOSE — An airline company based out of China has filed suit against a California aviation servicing company working at the San Jose airport after an employee allegedly caused damage to a Boeing 787.
Hainan Airlines Co. Ltd. filed a complaint Sept. 7 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, against Aviation Port Services LLC, alleging that the California company breached its agreement between both parties by non-payment of damages sustained by an aircrafted.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Sept. 21, 2015, Hainan Airlines Co. Ltd. had a Boeing 787 that was being serviced by the defendant when its employee, Logan Gordon, used a bridge elevator at close proximity to the aircraft that caused the elevator's open gate to strike and severely damage the left engine cowling of the aircraft. The cowling purportedly had to be removed for significant repairs, forcing the plaintiff to rent a replacement cowling during the repair process, which caused the plaintiff to sustain monetary damages in the amount of $465,526.60.
The plaintiff holds Aviation Port Services LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly was liable under the agreement for its employees' misconduct committed in the scope of their employment, failed to adequately instruct employees to follow standard procedures and training, and failed to properly supervise employees when conducting their job.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in its favor, damages in excess of $465,526.60, costs, attorney’s fees and other relief as the court may deem appropriate. It is represented by Brian G. Selden of Jones Day in Palo Alto and John D. Goetz and Tarah E. Ackerman of Jones Day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, case number 5:16-cv-05143