Fired helicopter pilot sues company

Erica D. Johnson

Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 | 11:01 a.m.

A former pilot claims the helicopter tour company involved in the 2001 crash that killed six was plagued by hazardous and unsafe working conditions, which included a mishandling of maintenance issues.

A lawsuit filed by Charles Lawson claims Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters had "overall poor, unsafe and unhealthful working conditions" when one of its helicopters crashed on Aug. 10, 2001, near Meadview, Ariz.

The suit claims pilots for the company were discouraged from reporting maintenance issues and were forced to endure long workdays, work on days off and given no breaks between flights or lunch breaks.

Officials for Papillon issued a brief statement this morning through Lee Haney, a spokeswoman for the company.

"We categorically deny the charges made by Mr. Lawson, but due to pending litigation our attorneys have advised us we cannot comment on specific allegations contained within the lawsuit," Haney said.

The company declined to comment further.

Lawson claims he was fired after he made his allegations to the National Transportation Safety Board during the investigation that followed the crash.

The lawsuit alleges that Lawson provided accurate testimony in a safety hearing with the NTSB, even though he was "extremely reluctant to answer for fear of retaliation by Papillon."

"Plaintiff believed it was his duty to testify accurately at the NTSB hearing regarding Papillion's unsafe and/or illegal activities that were dangerous to the public welfare as well as to their employees," the lawsuit states.

Lawson is seeking an unspecified amount in damages, including compensation for his firing, punitive damages and attorneys' fees.

Lawson claims the company's pilots were chastised for reporting maintenance issues and were sometimes made to take flights with inoperative air conditioners when cabin temperatures exceeded 100 degrees.

Attorneys for Chana Daskal, the sole survivor of the crash, in October 2001 filed a lawsuit against the estate of Kevin Innocenti, the pilot of the helicopter, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and two helicopter and engine parts makers.

Daskal, a tourist from New York, suffered burns to over 80 percent of her body. Her husband, David Daskal, was killed.

Daskal alleges an engine malfunction and possibly pilot error were responsible for the deadly crash. Her local attorney, Joseph Benson, could not be reached for comment.

Lawson, who was hired by Papillon, claims he was told he was fired in September 2001 because of an alleged "reduction of force."

The suit claims, however, that other less experienced pilots were not laid off.

Lawson said he was rehired soon after by David Hardin, a chief pilot, who informed Lawson he was voiding the layoff.

In November 2001, however, Hardin laid off Lawson a second time. The lawsuit claims Lawson was the only pilot to be laid off at that time. Hardin is also named as a defendant in the suit.

Lawson claims he saw a copy of his personnel file, which included a report that stated that he was "ineligible for rehire" because he had "demonstrated dangerous performance" on his last day. Lawson denies that allegation.

"It is obvious to plaintiff that his action by Papillon was in direct retaliation for his testimony at the NTSB hearing," the lawsuit states.