On May 7, 2008, Compass Airlines flight 2040 made an emergency landing in Fargo, North Dakota, because a fire had broken out in the rear lavatory of the Embraer 175 aircraft. The aircraft was approximately 35 minutes into the flight from Minneapolis, MN, to Regina, Saskatchewan, when the fired started. The pilots were forced to perform an emergency landing, descending a significant 30,000 ft in approximately 8 minutes. They were able to safely land the aircraft.
There were 72 passengers and 4 crewmembers on board the Compass Airlines flight. Compass Airlines’ first revenue flight was in May 2007 and the airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northwest Airlines.
Prosecutors have charged Eder Rojas, a 19-year-old male flight attendant, with setting the fire. They allege he started it using paper towels and a lighter he smuggled on board and because he was upset with the route the airline assigned him. Rojas has entered a not guilty plea. During an initial hearing, prosecutors revealed that Rojas was onboard another Compass Airline flight a few months earlier which also experienced a lavatory fire; that fire is still under investigation. Eder Rojas’ criminal trial was delayed until September 2008 but will be further postponed because he fled on the eve of his trial.
Motley Rice, along with Canadian co-counsel Will Barristers: Morin & Miller, currently represents several individuals aboard this flight and is investigating this event and the liability of Compass Airlines and its parent company, Northwest Airlines has to the passengers of Flight 2040. If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse due to personal injury as a result of this event, please contact Motley Rice Aviation attorney and former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Mary Schiavo (DC, MD, MO, SC) at (843) 216-9138 or toll free at 1-800-768-4026.
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Motley Rice attorneys have many years of experience representing victims of airline disasters and have aircraft pilots and mechanics on staff. We also have French and Spanish translators on staff. If you have any questions, comments or would like to explore your legal rights as a result of this event, click here. |
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