A class-action lawsuit is being filed today, seeking unspecified damages against West Wind Aviation and its major shareholder, Athabasca Basin Development, for the December 13 crash of a West Wind passenger plane in Fond du Lac.

The suit is being filed by the Merchant Law Group on behalf of passengers and their families. The statement of claim alleges the runway was too short for the size and the weight of the plane, there was no de-icing of the runway or plane and there was no warning given to passengers that the aircraft was about to crash.

There were 25 people on board, including 22 passengers and a crew of three.

One of the passengers, 19-year-old Arson Fern Jr., died of his injuries on December 25. Several other passengers suffered serious injuries.

West Wind has 20 days to file a statement of defence.

(PHOTO: Wreckage following crash. Photo courtesy of the Transportation Safety Board.)