Last Updated on September 4, 2024
Sergey Brin Faces New Lawsuit Over Fatal Plane Crash
Second Lawsuit Filed
Sergey Brin, Google’s co-founder, is now contending with a second wrongful death lawsuit linked to a tragic plane crash off California’s coast in May 2023. In July, the family of Dean Rushfeldt, one of the deceased pilots, filed a suit against Brin, his private family office Bayshore Global, Google, and related entities. This legal action follows a previous lawsuit filed in February by the widow of Lance Maclean, the other pilot who perished in the crash.
Crash Details and Allegations
On May 20, 2023, the plane, a Viking Air Ltd. DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400, took off from Santa Rosa, California, with a planned stop in Honolulu before heading to Fiji. The aircraft was equipped with an additional fuel bladder to extend its range. However, the bladder malfunctioned, causing the plane to run out of fuel about 30 miles off the coast. The plane subsequently crashed into the Pacific Ocean, leading to the deaths of both pilots.
The lawsuit claims that Bayshore Global and Seafly, the maintenance company involved, made critical errors. The fuel bladder was allegedly installed incorrectly and lacked proper documentation and certification. Additionally, the latest complaint accuses Brin and his team of failing to retrieve Rushfeldt’s body while giving false assurances about the recovery efforts.
Legal and Recovery Efforts
In the earlier lawsuit filed by Lance Maclean’s widow, similar claims were made regarding faulty modifications to the aircraft. The lawsuit also accused Brin of obstructing the recovery operations. Lawyers representing Maclean’s widow argued that, given Brin’s substantial wealth, he could have ensured the recovery of the plane and the pilots’ remains if he had truly wanted to.
The Maclean lawsuit has progressed further than the Rushfeldt case. Brin’s legal team has sought to dismiss the earlier claims, arguing that state law claims related to body recovery are overridden by federal laws under the Death on the High Seas Act.
Brin’s Public and Legal Response
Neither Brin nor Google has commented on the latest lawsuit. This silence continues as Brin remains active in the public eye, having re-engaged with Google recently to contribute to the development of the Gemini AI model. Despite his high profile and ongoing ventures, the legal challenges surrounding the plane crash cast a significant shadow over his activities.
The case underscores ongoing concerns and controversies involving Brin and his family office, particularly regarding the handling and recovery efforts related to the tragic crash.