Family sues over 2023 deadly plane crash in Camden County

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — Two years after a deadly plane crash in Camden County, the family of a 19-year-old teen who died in the crash is suing for damages.

According to online court dockets, Gary and Penny Vandiver, of Richmond, are suing Timothy McDuffey, of Osage Beach, for wrongful death, personal injuries and loss of consortium in Camden County Circuit Court.

The petition filed says that the Vandivers are the parents of Evan Vandiver, a passenger who died in a plane crash on July 13, 2023.

The petition says that on the day of the crash, Hayden Ritchhart, decedent of Timothy McDuffey, invited Evan and Gary Vandiver on a 1969 Piper PA-28-140 single-engine aircraft on a sightseeing flight which departed from Gland Glaize Airport in Osage Beach in Camden County.

Ritchhart piloted the aircraft with Gary in the right front seat and Evan in the left rear seat.

During the takeoff, the aircraft was in a nose-up attitude, leading to diminished airspeed, which descended downward impacting the ground around .55 miles from the departure.

Evan Vandiver and Hayden Ritchhart both died in the crash, and Gary Vandiver survived with injuries.

The first count of the petition alleges Ritchhart was negligent, careless and failed to exercise ordinary care for a pilot.

The second count says that due to Ritchhart's negligence, Gary Vandiver sustained severe and permanent injuries.

The third count alleges that Penny Vandiver has sustained harm, losses and damages due to her husband's injuries.

Summons have been issued for the lawsuit.