Nancy Parker's survivors have filed liability lawsuits against the owner of the Aerotek Pitts Special aircraft and Lycoming Aircraft Engines stemming from the plane crash that killed the longtime reporter/anchor and the pilot of the craft, Franklin Augustus.
The August 16th crash occured moments after the plane took off, then radioed an emergency due to engine trouble. The plane never made it back to the Lakefront Airport, crashing into a field off Jourdan Road in New Orleans East killing Parker and Augustus.
The planes owner, Drug Fighters Enterprises, is alleged to have failed to properly maintain the engine in flying condition and allowed Augustus and Parker to fly despite knowing of mechanical problems.
The suit against Lycoming claims the engine is an inheirently dangerous design and says safer redesigns are available.
The Times-Picaune/Advocate says the crash investigation is still on-going. Witness reports say the plane appeared to take off, develop engine trouble almost immediately then plunge into the ground.
The suit seeks damages from the defendants on behalf of Glenn Boyd, Parker's husband and their children. No dollar figure is known.