Copter Pilot’s Mother Seeks $5 Million for Crash

Claims totaling $5 million have been filed against four cities and the county by the mother of a Costa Mesa police helicopter pilot killed in a March 10 midair collision.

Dorothy Ketchum, mother of police pilot James David Ketchum, is accusing the county and four municipalities--Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach and Irvine--of negligence in handling the pursuit of a suspected car thief.

Ketchum, co-pilot John (Mike) Libolt and passenger Jeffrey Pollard were killed when their helicopter collided with a Newport Beach police helicopter as the two aircraft followed the suspect.

The two officers aboard the Newport Beach helicopter were injured but have since returned to flight duty.

Irvine attorney R. Richard Farnell, who is representing Dorothy Ketchum, said his client has suffered mental and physical anguish because of her son’s death.

Under state law, individuals cannot sue a public entity without first filing a claim. The cities and the county have 45 days to reject or accept the claims.

A total of $33 million in claims have been filed as a result of the collision. David Ketchum’s widow and two children have filed $10 million in claims against the same four cities and the county, while Libolt’s former wife and two children filed identical charges of negligence against the same entities, asking $7 million.

Libolt’s fiancee is seeking $1 million in damages from Newport Beach. Pollard’s wife filed for $10 million in damages from Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.