Learjet Blamed for Jenni Rivera’s Death

LOS ANGELES (CN) - The family of Latin superstar Jenni Rivera sued Learjet on Monday, claiming that mechanical failures on her private jet caused the crash that killed her.

The Estate of Dolores Janney Rivera, her mother, father and children sued Learjet and its Canadian parent company Bombardier in Superior Court, on four counts of negligence, plus product liability and breach of warranties.

Companies that serviced and maintained the jet also are named as defendants.

Rivera was killed with six others when her jet crashed in Iturbide, Nuevo León, Mexico, on Dec. 9, 2012. The singer-songwriter was one of the most popular Latin singers on the planet.

Rivera's family claims the Model 25 ten-seater twin engine jet crashed because of "mechanical flight control failure" which "caused the plane to plummet shortly after takeoff."

Before it struck the mountain, the family says, Rivera suffered "severe pre and post-impact injury, damage to property, pain, suffering and mental anguish, fear of impending death and emotional distress and, ultimately died due to the fatal injuries sustained from said crash."

In July, Rivera's former manager Laura Lucio filed a $10 million Superior Court complaint against Rivera's estate and family members. She claimed the company had published a book in 2013 called "Unbreakable," using her work, and also owed her royalties from her time managing the singer. That case was removed to Federal Court on July 17.

A few months later, Jenni Rivera Enterprises claimed in court that the manager had falsely claimed ownership of writings and audio interviews that belonged to the late Latina singer and actress to publish a book called "My Crazy Life: Intimate Conversations with my friend Jenni Rivera," according to that lawsuit .

Named as defendants in the newest complaint are Bombardier; Learjet; Duncan Aviation; Aronson Aircraft & Marine Services; Starwood Management; Rodatz Financial Group; McOco Inc.; Jet Electronics & Technologies; USC Ltd.; Garmin International; Rockwell Collins; Communications Avionics Systems; L3 Communications Avionics Systems; BF Goodrich Avionics Systems; Goodrich Avionics Systems; United Technologies; UTC Aerospace Systems; Triumph Group; Bendix Corp.; and Honeywell Aerospace.

The family seeks punitive damages, prejudgment interest and costs.

They are represented by Brian Panish with Panish Shea & Boyle

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