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Old 11th Jul 2008, 18:40
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zalt
 
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[Peru: US court to see Rio Tinto helicopter crash case
Several months after eight employees for Rio Tinto mining company were killed in a tragic helicopter accident, grieving family members battle to be indemnified for their loved ones' deaths.

Lawyers representing the family members of five of the eight victims confirmed they would be taking the case to US courts so their clients were compensated fairly.

The purpose of taking the case to international courts is to make sure that the victims' families are properly indemnified, said lawyers from Tincopa law firm as well as lawyers from Brent Coon and Associates (BCA).

"Family members, victims of the accident receive a small compensation from insurance companies and that's it, they bury their dead and nothing happens. The compensation that the insurance company wants to give is a minimal sum when compared to what can be received if the case is handled in a US court," said Carmenza Perdomo, marketing director at BCA.

Ladd Sanger, who also works for the same law firm, assured it was difficult to estimate how much each family would receive because each case was handled differently.

Sanger did explain, however, that in these types of accidents an average amount was $1 million. It was reported the case could take from 18 -24 months in a US court.

The two pilots and eight Rio Tinto workers lost their lives after the helicopter crashed into a hill because of strong winds during a storm.

The chopper was ferrying workers from the company's La Granja copper project.

Lawyers claim there was negligence on behalf of the pilots because they did not have permission to fly through dense fog and clouds.
Living in Peru » News » Peru: US court to see Rio Tinto helicopter crash case

I note from NTSB site:

On March 3, 2008, about 1120 Peruvian local time, a Bell 412EP, N417EV, owned by Evergreen Helicopters, Incorporated, and operated by Helinka S.A.C., was destroyed when it impacted remote, mountainous terrain about 10 nautical miles west of Santa Cruz, Cajamarca, Peru. The United States certificated airline transport pilot, the Peruvian provisional co-pilot, and 10 passengers were fatally injured. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were unknown. The helicopter was operating on a company visual flight rules flight plan under Peruvian flight regulations.

According to information released by the Peruvian government, the helicopter was transporting eight miners from the Rio Tinto mine to Chiclayo. The helicopter impacted a mountainside about 3,500 feet above sea level, and was destroyed by impact forces and a postcrash fire. The accident occurred in the vicinity of 6 degrees, 38 minutes south latitude, 79 degrees, 10.5 minutes west longitude.
A provisional co-pilot?
Well worth a look at terrain & route on GoogleEarth, impact about 500m south of the river.
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