Oregon Family Demands $18 Million in Damages After Flight School Plane Slammed Into Their Home

The Ferris family of Newberg, Oregon, is seeking $18 million in damages following a plane that crashed into the home in October 2023.

Flight instructor Michele Cavallotti (22) and his student Barrett Bevacqua (20) were both killed in the accident on October 3, 2023. A third passenger and observer to the training flight, student Emily Hurd (20), survived after undergoing prolonged hospital treatment for her injuries.

The accident occurred while Bevacqua was flying a twin-engine Piper Seminole in a training flight that involved maneuvers, sharp turns, stalls, and slow flight.

The Ferris family is seeking $18 million in damages from the Hillsboro Aero Academy, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Industries, Matt Bevacqua, and the estate of the late Barrett Bevacqua.

The lawsuit states that the Ferris family is seeking damages for the ‘destruction of their real property, including the family home and yard, damage to their personal property, emotional distress, and trespass.’