The UK's richest man has widened his lawsuit against Cessna Aircraft to include Raytheon's maintenance arm. Lawyers for the Duke of Westminster have added maintenance contractor Raytheon Aircraft Services to a £3.5 million ($5.6 million) suit for damage caused to his Cessna Citation following an on-board fire in September 1999.
The aircraft allegedly caught fire after a cleaner switched on a cockpit light while the aircraft was being prepared for flight from Hawarden near Chester, UK.
Westminster's insurers have been in dispute with Cessna since the incident, which caused £1 million worth of damage to airport buildings. Westminster's company, the Grosvenor Group, says: "We confirm that, as it has not been possible to settle the dispute to date, legal proceedings are being pursued against both companies."
Cessna and Raytheon confirm the lawsuit exists, but decline to comment further.
Source: Flight International
