The pilot of the hot-air balloon that crashed into a Surrey trailer park two years ago has filed suit against the balloon's designers and manufacturers.
Stephen Pennock was manning the fated balloon when it crashed down over Hazelmere trailer park, killing two of the 12 passengers onboard and sparking a massive fire that destroyed five mobile homes.
In January 2009, the homeowners sued Pennock and his company, SRP Adventure Tours, claiming the balloon was sporting unapproved modifications, that the manufacturer had not been inspected by the Canadian government, and that Pennock was not properly trained.
Now, Pennock is claiming damages of his own.
On Monday, the pilot launched lawsuits against several companies that designed or made components of the balloon and its propane burner system, alleging negligence.
Among the defendants is Aerostar International, Inc., an American military aircraft manufacturer.
In September, a Transportation Safety Board review determined that a disconnected fuel line was among the causes of the deadly crash.
Investigators found the balloon had been modified to accept a fourth propane tank, and the line to that tank had somehow come loose.
With files from The Canadian Press
