Producer sued for wrongful death after crew's plane crash

Image
Press Trust of India Los Angeles
Last Updated : Apr 17 2016 | 1:43 PM IST
A wife of one of the passengers who died during the September plane crash on the set of Tom Cruise's upcoming movie "Mena" is suing the studios and the late pilot's estate for wrongful death.
Alan Purwin's widow claims the pilot in the plane crash which killed her husband was unqualified, reported Ace Showbiz.
The complaint filed on Friday, April 15 by Alan's widow and children read, "Defendants knew that the Accident Aircraft would be flown over rugged, mountainous terrain and in the Republic of Colombia, and yet failed to ensure that Carlos Berl was competent, qualified, rested and sufficiently informed for the flight."
The suit names Cross Creek Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Vendian Entertainment and Quadrant Pictures as defendants.
Alan's widow claims the pilot was not actually a member of the crew. The producers violated the closed set policies by allowing him on location.
In addition to the production companies, Alan's family is suing the estate of Carlos, the Colombian pilot who was also killed in the crash.
The complaint describes "Mena" as a movie as starring Tom Cruise in the role of a pilot who was recruited by the CIA in the '80s to capture Pablo Escobar. The crash happened after the completion of filming on the final day of principal photography, according to the suit.
Alan also worked as a helicopter pilot in other movies like "The Hunger Games" film franchise, "Entourage" and "San Andreas". He was the founder and president of Helinet Technologies, a company which provides aerial surveillance services to law enforcement and government agencies across the globe.
"Mena" producer hasn't commented on the issue yet.
The movie, also starring Sarah Wright, Jayma Mays, Domhnall Gleeson and Jesse Plemons, is set to hit US theatres on January 6, 2017.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 17 2016 | 1:43 PM IST

Next Story