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Comair crash survivor wants to fly again
March 6, 2008 7:49 AM ET
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - The co-pilot and sole survivor of a Comair jet that crashed and killed 49 people, leading to lawsuits against him and a federal finding that he was at least partly to blame, is determined to fly again.
James Polehinke, who suffered brain damage, the loss of his left leg and broken bones in the 2006 crash, understands he faces extremely long odds. But his passion for the skies has motivated him to get through rehabilitation.
"Jim has a love for flying. He has a love for life, a very strong determination to achieve every level of recovery he could possibly make," his attorney, Larry Moore, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Even if Polehinke were able to cross the medical hurdles, which Moore said is a long way off, it's uncertain what steps he would need to take to return his pilot's license to good standing. Moore said he believes Polehinke's license has expired.
Comair spokeswoman Kate Marx said Polehinke is on medical leave with the airline but declined to comment further on his status as a pilot. A call to the Federal Aviation Administration was not immediately returned.
David Royse, an attorney coordinating the legal efforts for the families suing Comair, declined to comment on Polehinke's ambitions to return to the cockpit. Comair is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.
Comair Flight 5191 crashed Aug. 27, 2006, shortly after taking off from the wrong runway -- a general aviation strip too short for a commercial jet.
The National Transportation Safety Board pinned most of the blame on the two pilots. Besides failing to notice they were headed down an unlit general aviation runway that was too short for commercial jets, the pilots violated rules banning non-essential chatter in the cockpit during takeoff procedures, the NTSB said.
Polehinke is among those being sued by family members of some of the crash victims. Moore is representing him in a separate lawsuit in which Polehinke is seeking to make sure his medical bills are completely paid. Polehinke has sued the airport, FAA and the makers of airport maps.
In a letter to U.S. District Court accompanying medical documents, Moore wrote that Polehinke's medical bills have already topped $4 million and that the amount paid in worker's compensation had topped $1 million. He said the bills were incomplete because future medical costs were unknown.
Moore said Polehinke underwent surgery on his right knee in January, and his long-term use of that leg remains uncertain. More surgery may be required.
Polehinke remains at home in Florida and is making good progress in rehab, Moore said. He attributes that progress, in part, to Polehinke's dream of flying again.
"That's what he's wanted to do with his life and still wants to do with his life," Moore said.
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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This kid has some cajones! Good luck James!
Trojan
March 6, 2008 7:49 AM ET
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All Associated Press newsLEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - The co-pilot and sole survivor of a Comair jet that crashed and killed 49 people, leading to lawsuits against him and a federal finding that he was at least partly to blame, is determined to fly again.
James Polehinke, who suffered brain damage, the loss of his left leg and broken bones in the 2006 crash, understands he faces extremely long odds. But his passion for the skies has motivated him to get through rehabilitation.
"Jim has a love for flying. He has a love for life, a very strong determination to achieve every level of recovery he could possibly make," his attorney, Larry Moore, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Even if Polehinke were able to cross the medical hurdles, which Moore said is a long way off, it's uncertain what steps he would need to take to return his pilot's license to good standing. Moore said he believes Polehinke's license has expired.
Comair spokeswoman Kate Marx said Polehinke is on medical leave with the airline but declined to comment further on his status as a pilot. A call to the Federal Aviation Administration was not immediately returned.
David Royse, an attorney coordinating the legal efforts for the families suing Comair, declined to comment on Polehinke's ambitions to return to the cockpit. Comair is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.
Comair Flight 5191 crashed Aug. 27, 2006, shortly after taking off from the wrong runway -- a general aviation strip too short for a commercial jet.
The National Transportation Safety Board pinned most of the blame on the two pilots. Besides failing to notice they were headed down an unlit general aviation runway that was too short for commercial jets, the pilots violated rules banning non-essential chatter in the cockpit during takeoff procedures, the NTSB said.
Polehinke is among those being sued by family members of some of the crash victims. Moore is representing him in a separate lawsuit in which Polehinke is seeking to make sure his medical bills are completely paid. Polehinke has sued the airport, FAA and the makers of airport maps.
In a letter to U.S. District Court accompanying medical documents, Moore wrote that Polehinke's medical bills have already topped $4 million and that the amount paid in worker's compensation had topped $1 million. He said the bills were incomplete because future medical costs were unknown.
Moore said Polehinke underwent surgery on his right knee in January, and his long-term use of that leg remains uncertain. More surgery may be required.
Polehinke remains at home in Florida and is making good progress in rehab, Moore said. He attributes that progress, in part, to Polehinke's dream of flying again.
"That's what he's wanted to do with his life and still wants to do with his life," Moore said.
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back to Recent News
This kid has some cajones! Good luck James!
Trojan
