LAFAYETTE, La. — A Lafayette woman who was badly burned when a plane struck her car before crash landing near the U.S. Post Office on Feu Follet Road is suing the plane’s owners and insurance companies for her injuries.
According to a lawsuit filed in May, Kristie Danielle Britt was sitting in her 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe in the parking lot of the post office when the PIPER N42CV airplane crashed into her vehicle causing it to roll several times before landing upside down and catching on fire.
The lawsuit claims that Britt sustained “catastrophic and horrific burn injuries, causing severe and permanent damages.” Britt is suing for damages for mental and physical pain and suffering; medical and travel expenses; lost wages; burn injuries; disfigurement and scarring for an undetermined amount.
According to the lawsuit, Britt was visiting her husband, Robert E. Britt, Jr., who worked at the post office to surprise him with breakfast. Robert Britt was unaware that his wife was among those injured when he exited the post office to film the aftermath of the crash.
The lawsuit states he discovered his wife screaming and crying in pain from her injuries resulting from the plane hitting her vehicle during the crash.
Defendants named in the lawsuit include plane’s owner Cheyenne Partners, LLC; Eagle Air, LLC; Global Data Systems, Inc.; Southern Lifestyle Development, LLC, the late pilot of the plane Ian Biggs and his estate; and the plane’s insurance companies Sompo International Holding, LTD and Endurance American Insurance Company.
The lawsuit claims that the crash resulted from the fault or negligence of Cheyenne, Eagle, GDS, SLD and Biggs in failing to maintain the plane in a safe condition; operating the plane in an unsafe and improperly loaded configuration; taking off and flying the plane under highly challenging meteorological conditions; and operating the plane with inadequate pilot training and crew.
On Dec. 28, 2019, the Piper PA 31T airplane owned by Cheyenne Partners, LLC and piloted by Ian Biggs crashed shortly after takeoff from the regional airport in Lafayette and hit the post office on Feu Follet Road.
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