Passengers have right to sue Boeing over Emirates crash at Dubai airport, court rules
The first hurdle has been passed in a legal action in the United States that claims a defective switch led to the accident that also killed an Emirati firefighter.
A US court has paved the way for passengers to sue aircraft maker Boeing after an Emirates flight crash-landed in Dubai two years ago.
Flight 521, from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala crashed on the runway of Dubai International Airport on August 3, 2016. All 300 passengers and crew survived, with 30 taken to hospital.
The fuel tank of the Boeing 777 exploded in an ensuing blaze, killing firefighter Jassim Al Baloushi, 27, from Ras Al Khaimah.
Lawyers in the US and the UK want to sue Boeing on the grounds that this was a preventable accident caused by a fault in the aircraft’s design.
The action is being brought in Cook County, Chicago, the headquarters of Boeing. At least 15 passengers are believed to be suing.
A year on, the case has cleared its first hurdle with a court declaring the passengers have the right to sue in the US. Boeing is contesting the lawsuit.