Hawaii Plane Crash Victim’s Family Sues Airline, Pilot Estate

The family of a Maui planning worker killed in a fiery plane crash on Lanai is suing the airline and the dead pilot’s estate, saying negligence caused the crash.

Richard Fried, an attorney for the family of Kathleen Kern, said Monday the lawsuit is the first filed because of the February crash.

The crash about a mile from Lanai Airport killed three people, including pilot Richard Rooney, Kern and another Maui County planning employee. Authorities say the twin-engine Piper PA31 crashed shortly after takeoff and immediately burst into flames. Three other county workers suffered burn injuries.

Officials for Maui Island Air Inc., and Maui Aircraft Leasing LLC did not immediately return a phone call and email seeking comment from The Associated Press. State records show the companies have ties.