At approximately 8:40 a.m. July 10, a Cessna 310 registered to Competitor Liaison Bureau, Inc., of Daytona Beach, crashed into two homes in a neighborhood in Sanford, Florida. At this time it is known that five individuals were fatally injured as a result of the crash, including NASCAR aviation pilot Michael Klemm and Dr. Bruce Kennedy, a Daytona Beach plastic surgeon and husband of International Speedway Corporation President Lesa France Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy is the daughter of the late Bill France, Jr., the founder of NASCAR.
The identity of the three fatalities in the homes have not currently been released, however, it has been reported that two of those fatalities were children. Four individuals sustained injuries on the ground, including one 9-10 year old boy and his parents, who suffered second and third-degree burns, as well as one firefighter who suffered minor injuries. The boy was reportedly burned on 80% to 90% of his body. Three homes were damaged in the immediate area impacted by the aircraft. The NTSB has been dispatched and is scheduled to arrive in Sanford, Florida, on July 10.
Unfortunately, this accident aircraft was not equipped with a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) or a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), therefore investigators will have to rely on witness accounts, Air Traffic Control Tower tapes, fueling and maintenance records, and the pilots’ activities in the twenty-four hours leading up to the crash.
Motley Rice is currently investigating this crash and has learned that the accident aircraft’s engines’ airworthiness was last certified in January of 1977. We have also learned that Competitor Liaison Bureau, Inc., the registered owner of the aircraft, is registered under the name of the late Bill France, Jr., who passed away in June. Dr. Bruce Kennedy, who is rumored to have been piloting the plane, had just received his commercial pilot’s license on May 24 of this year. Mr. Klemm was a registered flight instructor. There are no confirmed reports of which of the gentlemen was piloting the plane at this time.
If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse due to wrongful death or personal injury as a result of this accident, please contact Motley Rice attorney Rob Anderson (SC, FL) or Motley Rice aviation attorney and former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Mary Schiavo (DC, MD, MO), at (843) 216-9138 or toll free at 1-800-768-4026.
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Motley Rice attorneys have many years of experience representing victims of airline disasters and have aircraft pilots and mechanics on staff. We also have French, Portuguese and Spanish translators on staff. If you have any questions, comments or would like to explore your legal rights as a result of this air crash, click here. |
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