COLUMBIA, S.C. AP – A year after surviving a fiery plane crash, the state’s lieutenant governor and his passenger have sued three companies that worked on the aircraft’s engine for negligence.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and his passenger, John Leonhardt, were hospitalized for several days when the single-engine plane crashed shortly after takeoff on May 23, 2006. Bauer has had several surgeries for a shattered heel, and Leonhardt suffered leg injuries.