Estate of local man sues airline

STAFF/WIRE REPORTS

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A third lawsuit was filed against Comair over the Aug. 27 commuter jet crash in Lexington, but the complaint is the first to name Comair parent Delta Air Lines Inc. as a defendant.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Lexington by the estate of Erik Harris, one of 49 people who died in the crash of Flight 5191. Harris grew up in Alliance and graduated from West Branch schools.

The lawsuit alleges negligence and breach of warranties by Atlanta-based Delta, which is in bankruptcy, and Comair, a subsidiary of Delta based in Erlanger, Ky., across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Comair also has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The estate, administered by Richard Harris, Erik's father, is asking for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.