• 10
  • August
    2010

Don Yoon's life has not been the same since a malfunctioning fighter jet lost engine power and crashed into his family's home. The 2008 plane crash killed Yoon's mother-in-law, his wife and their two young daughters. Even two years later, Yoon has trouble coming to grips with the situation he now finds himself in.

In a wrongful death lawsuit, filed in late July, Yoon stated his desire to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. Indeed, when one looks at the tragedy that befell him, it becomes clear that it should never have happened in the first place.

For one, the lawsuit claims that both the United States and the plane's manufacturer, Boeing, knew that the craft had a history of mechanical problems and system failures. In addition, the ground crew in correspondence with the pilot should have directed him to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

After the plane's first engine failed, the pilot should have proceeded to the much nearer Naval Air Station North Island.

As it turned out, the path he took to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar led directly over a heavily populated area of San Diego. When the second engine failed, the pilot ejected and the plane plummeted straight into Yoon's home. Marine spokesmen have since acknowledged that the pilot never should have charted that course.

While Yoon has forgiven the pilot, he still holds the United States and Boeing responsible for a tragedy that could have been prevented. Through his wrongful death suit, Yoon hopes to find some peace and, most importantly, ensure that such a tragedy never happens to anyone else.

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