PORTLAND, Ore. — A family from Newberg has initiated a lawsuit amounting to $18 million following a catastrophic plane crash that destroyed their home. The legal action was taken against several parties, including Hillsboro Aero Academy, Ascend Pilot Academy, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Industries, the pilot Matt Bevacqua, and the estate of Barrett Bevacqua.
The Ferris family’s lawsuit seeks compensation for various damages resulting from the incident on October 3, 2023. They are pursuing claims for the complete loss of their residence and property, personal damages, trespassing issues, and emotional distress experienced by themselves and their three minor children.
According to court documents, the aircraft involved in the accident was a Piper Seminole, piloted by student Barret Bevacqua, who was accompanied by flight instructor Michele Cavallotti. The plane was reportedly carrying out maneuvers in the airspace above Newberg at the time of the crash.
The lawsuit notes that both Bevacqua and Cavallotti lost control of the aircraft, which subsequently entered a stall and spun before plummeting toward the ground. At 6:49 p.m., the aircraft struck the Ferris family’s home, leading to the deaths of three individuals on board. Remarkably, one passenger, Emily Hurd, survived but sustained critical injuries. She was airlifted to a hospital in Portland before being transferred to Spokane to aid her recovery and facilitate family support.
In February, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its final report on the incident, identifying the primary cause as the piloting errors of the student under inadequate supervision from the instructor. The report concluded that these failures led to the tragic stall and spin from which recovery was impossible.
Earlier this year, the family of Barrett Bevacqua filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several organizations associated with the flight training program, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding the crash.
This series of legal actions highlights the ongoing repercussions of the aviation accident and the potential for change within pilot training protocols. As the Ferris family seeks justice and compensation for their losses, the investigation into the crash and its causes continues to unfold, raising questions about aviation safety standards and oversight.
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