Two Motley Rice aviation attorneys have been appointed to leadership roles in multidistrict litigation arising from the crash of Delta Flight 4819. Aviation attorney and former Air Force navigator James Brauchle was appointed Co-Lead Counsel and aviation attorney Tola Familoni was named to the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in In Re: Air Crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025.
This litigation alleges negligence on the part of Delta and Endeavor flight crew members, specifically related to not using standard landing procedures, during the crash of Delta Flight 4819. The suit also points to inadequate training and supervision as alleged contributing factors to the crash. The case falls under the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability for passenger injuries and damages in international air travel. Because this crash occurred internationally, limits are set on compensation for bodily injury, but those limits could be removed if the carrier is found to be at fault.
“This case is about accountability and securing a future where every safety protocol is upheld to protect passengers,” said attorney Tola Familoni.
Delta Flight 4819 crashed upon arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport. After experiencing a hard landing, the aircraft flipped upside down leading to the separation of the right wing and t-tail, which ignited a fire. The crash resulted in 21 of the 80 people on board suffering injuries from the crash including head and neck injuries as well as psychological trauma.
"Our goal is to help the passengers and families harmed by this tragedy receive the justice they deserve. Aviation litigation is complex, but we are committed to holding all responsible parties accountable," said Motley Rice attorney James Brauchle.
Our aviation experience
Our aviation attorneys have represented victims of commercial plane crashes and military helicopter accidents across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and internationally. We collaborate with foreign lawyers on cases outside the U.S. and have handled litigation against airlines, manufacturers, maintenance contractors, airports, air traffic control, and government entities. Notable cases include the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 which took the lives of 149 passengers and eight crew members, and the Air France Flight 447 crash 600 miles off the northeast coast of Brazil resulting in the deaths of 216 passengers and twelve crew members. Our mission is to hold responsible parties accountable and seek justice for victims and families worldwide.
For more information, contact Motley Rice aviation attorneys Jim Brauchle, Mary Schiavo or Tola Familoni by email or call 1.800.768.4026.