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Judge sets trial date for outstanding Flight 3407 lawsuits

Victims of Flight 3407
WBFO News file photo
Victims of Flight 3407

A federal judge in Buffalo has issued a trial date for several outstanding lawsuits filed by families of Flight 3407. Those families appeared in court Wednesday for the first time in a year to attend a status update.

The families are suing Pinnacle Airlines for the deadly crash of a Colgan Air plane in Clarence Center more than four years ago. 

The judge says jury selection will begin March 4, 2014. 

Jennifer West of Clarence lost her husband Ernie in the crash. 

West tells WBFO News she is pleased the judge has issued a trial date, but they have not ruled out a future settlement.

Jennifer West shows photo of her husband Ernie who was killed on Flight 3407
Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Jennifer West holds a photo of her husband, Ernie, killed on Flight 3407

"Personally, you know, a trial -- I can't see where they would want to go to trial, Colgan. It doesn't look good for them. I would never say no to talking," said West.

About 30 families have already settled with the airline. West and about 10 others remain unsettled. Pinnacle was the parent company of Colgan and filed bankruptcy proceedings last year delaying the suits.

"I would love to get this behind me. It is something that is always there. It is something that you almost feel like it is always in the back of your mind. Then on the other hand, I feel like I am doing this for Ernie and my daughter," said West.