Mother of woman killed in helicopter crash files suit

Local News

Discussion

November 3, 2009

By BOB GIBBINS The Tahlequah Daily Press Tue Nov 03, 2009, 10:01 AM CST

The mother of a Tahlequah woman killed last month in a helicopter crash has filed suit against the pilot’s estate, his parents and the helicopter manufacturer.

Attorneys for Juanita Kristene Scraper filed the suit late Friday afternoon. Her daughter, Darci Scraper, and pilot Mark James Mahaney, 26, died in the mid-October crash of a Robinson R-22 Beta helicopter.

In addition to Mahaney’s estate, the petition also lists as defendants his parents, James Mahaney and René Rozell; Robinson Helicopter Co.; the estate of Trevor B. Noble; and five unknown men, listed in court documents as John Does 1-5.

The suit alleges Mahaney “negligently” operated the helicopter, which “caused and contributed” to the injuries that ultimately killed Darci Scraper. It claims Juanita Scraper is entitled to recover compensation for “grief and loss of companionship, services, love, care, affection prior to her death, funeral and burial expenses and punitive damages.”

James Mahaney and René Rozell are listed as defendants because they allegedly “exercised control” over the helicopter and were “instrumental in furnishing” the aircraft to Mark Mahaney, the suit contends. It also alleges Mahaney’s parents knew or should have known of their son’s “reckless flying habits.”

The suit claims the helicopter was manufactured in 2007 and was purchased by John Doe 1 from John Doe 2.

The craft was owned by Trevor Noble at the time of the crash, the suit states.

The suit alleges the helicopter was “negligently designed” by Robinson Helicopter Co. in a manner that made it “defective and unreasonably dangerous.”

Scraper seeks judgment against each defendant in excess of $10,000 for actual and exemplary damages, interest, court costs and attorney fees. She is represented by Garvin Isaacs, an Oklahoma City attorney.

Text Only

Local News

Artistic wonders
Anthony Amason understands he sometimes has to push his students beyond their comfort zones so they’ll grow and become successful.

February 3, 2012 2 Photos
Matlock receives five years for rape
A former Tahlequah High School teacher and coach was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after pleading guilty to rape.

February 3, 2012
Some enrollment up; some down
As public schools in Oklahoma suffer further budget cuts , student enrollment continues to increase.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
Deputy shoots, kills Norwood man
NORWOOD – A Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man Wednesday night after responding to a noise complaint near Norwood.

February 3, 2012
Plumb resigns as CNEC chairwoman
Cherokee Nation Election Commission Chairwoman Susan Plumb announced Thursday she would resign her position on the board, effective Tuesday, Feb. 14.

February 3, 2012
Bypass getting signals
After months of discussions between city and state officials, a Tahlequah intersection notorious for producing injury and fatality crashes is set to receive traffic lights.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
Johnson seeks appeal of conviction
A Cherokee County man convicted last year of first-degree manslaughter is seeking an appeal.

February 2, 2012
Local opinion: Candidates deserve scrutiny
With the Republican nomination still up for grabs, campaigns of the remaining four men in the fray have called their competitors on the carpet about a number of issues – including releasing tax information, how much they give to charity, and sexual misconduct.

February 2, 2012
Area Tolkien fans eagerly await ‘The Hobbit’
A children’s fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, titled, “The Hobbit,” was published on Sept. 21, 1937. The book followed the journey of a pint-sized humanoid named Bilbo Baggins on his quest to snatch a treasure from Smaug the dragon.

February 2, 2012
Life enrichment
Whether it’s sports, dance, cooking or computers, lifelong learning programs enrich lives and can advance careers.

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Last year, Cherokee County was hit with severe snowstorms in the winter, followed by devastating floods in the spring. What have you done to protect your property, in case it happens again?

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Mother of woman killed in helicopter crash files suit

Last year, Cherokee County was hit with severe snowstorms in the winter, followed by devastating floods in the spring. What have you done to protect your property, in case it happens again?

Site Map

Contact Us