Alan Purwin's widow claims the pilot in the September crash which killed her husband was unqualified.
- April 16, 2016
AceShowbiz -
A wife of one of the passengers who died during the September plane crash on the set of Tom Cruise's upcoming movie "Mena" is suing the studios and the late pilot's estate for wrongful death. Alan Purwin's widow claims the pilot in the plane crash which killed her husband was unqualified.
The complaint filed on Friday, April 15 by Alan's widow and children reads, "Defendants knew that the Accident Aircraft would be flown over rugged, mountainous terrain and in the Republic of Colombia, and yet failed to ensure that Carlos Berl was competent, qualified, rested and sufficiently informed for the flight."
The suit names Cross Creek Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Vendian Entertainment and Quadrant Pictures as defendants. Alan's widow claims the pilot was not actually a member of the crew. The producers violated the closed set policies by allowing him on location.
In addition to the production companies, Alan's family is suing the estate of Carlos, the Colombian pilot who was also killed in the crash.
The complaint describes "Mena" as a movie as starring Tom Cruise in the role of a pilot who was recruited by the CIA in the '80s to capture Pablo Escobar. The crash happened after the completion of filming on the final day of principal photography, according to the suit.
Alan also worked as a helicopter pilot in other movies like "The Hunger Games" film franchise, "Entourage" and "San Andreas". He was the founder and president of Helinet Technologies, a company which provides aerial surveillance services to law enforcement and government agencies across the globe.
"Mena" producers hasn't commented on the issue yet. The movie, also starring Sarah Wright, Jayma Mays, Domhnall Gleeson and Jesse Plemons, is set to hit U.S. theaters on January 6, 2017.
