BEDFORD, Ind., June 19 (UPI) -- The father of 8-year-old Emily Anne Johnson shouldn't have been allowed to fly the day of the Indiana plane crash that claimed their lives, a lawsuit alleges.
The child's mother, Beth Ann Johnson, alleged in her lawsuit against several employees of an airport in Bedford, Ind., that her daughter's father, Eric Johnson, was only a student pilot when he was allowed to fly on March 5, 2007, The Times-Mail newspaper in Bedford, Ind., said Thursday.
Johnson is seeking unspecified damages through the lawsuit, which also names a flight instructor and county commissioners as co-defendants.
The father and daughter had been flying for nearly 90 minutes when their plane crashed into the home of the girl's grandmother. Police alleged following the crash that Eric Johnson likely crashed the plane into the home on purpose, The Times-Mail said.
A final National Transportation Safety Board report on the crash hasn't been released but an initial report said the plane had no mechanical malfunctions.
The Times-Mail said no hearings have been set for the lawsuit, which Johnson filed to recover damages for the loss of her daughter and for counseling services she has received since the girl's death.
