Fresno, CA. - The family of a veteran helicopter pilot who died when his aircraft crashed battling a wildfire in Coalinga this summer has filed a lawsuit against the companies that designed the aircraft.

Michael Fournier was flying near the small Central California town when his helicopter crashed on August 19.

According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board, Fournier told another pilot via radio shortly before the crash that his hydraulic system appeared to be failing.

The 52 year old's wife and two daughters filed the lawsuit in the Ventura County Superior Court.