$27 million lawsuit alleges Alaska Airlines, 2 pilot schools responsible for student pilot's death

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A new lawsuit is putting the blame for a fatal 2023 plane crash in Newberg on the employers of an inexperienced flight instructor.

As originally reported in The Oregonian, the family of Barrett Bevacqua is suing Alaska Airlines and two pilot academies for tens of millions of dollars after a fatal crash in October 2023 that happened while Bevacqua was learning to fly.

The lawsuit alleges that flight instructor Michele Cavallotti stalled the craft — causing the plane to crash into a home from more than 5,000 feet in the air — and killing himself and Bevacqua, who was 20 at the time. Another trainee was also seriously injured.

The suit says Cavallotti was employed by the Hillsboro Aero Academy and Ascend Pilot Academy, the latter of which is operated by Alaska Airlines as a recruitment tool.

The suit is suing Alaska Airlines and the two pilot academy companies for $27 million in damages.