Another class-action lawsuit filed over plane crash at Halifax airport

Air Canada flight AC624 that crashed early Sunday morning during a snowstorm, is seen at Stanfield International Airport in Halifax on Monday, March 30, 2015. (Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

HALIFAX -- Another class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of passengers involved in a plane crash at Halifax's airport last month that seeks damages for alleged physical and psychological injuries suffered by passengers.

The statement of claim filed Tuesday is the second to be filed with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court since Air Canada Flight 624 hit the ground short of the runway on March 29.

The latest lawsuit makes a number of claims including that Air Canada did not adequately train the flight crew on the procedures for the Airbus A320 and that the crew chose not to abort the landing when they knew or ought to have known that a safe touchdown was impaired or prevented by the weather conditions at the time.

The suit says lead plaintiffs Kathleen Carroll-Byrne, Asher Hodara and Malanga Georges Liboy are seeking damages alleging pain and suffering, loss of past and future income and past and future costs of care, among other claims.

It says Hodara sustained serious physical injuries as a result of the crash including a mild traumatic brain injury.

"He also sustained psychological injuries ... including anxiety, loss of concentration and profound psychological distress," says the claim filed by Halifax law firm Wagners and Vancouver-based Camp, Fiorante, Matthews and Mogerman.

The suit names Air Canada, Airbus SAS, NAV Canada, the Halifax International Airport Authority, the Attorney General of Canada and an unnamed captain and first officer as defendants.

Air Canada, the Halifax International Airport Authority and Nav Canada all said they could not comment as the matter is before the courts.

The Justice Department said it has not yet been served with the claim, but added that it does not comment on such matters once they are before the courts.

The France-based Airbus did not return requests for comment.

The allegations in both lawsuits have not been proven in court.

The aircraft was flying from Toronto when it hit an antenna array, slammed into the ground about 335 metres short of the runway and then skidded for another 335 metres before stopping.

All 133 passengers and five crew on board survived, although about two dozen people were sent to hospital.