Aviation Cases

In re Alaska Airlines Flight 261 (San Francisco) The elderly parents of an adult daughter who was killed when a defective bolt failed on a commercial flight, causing it to crash received a $3,000,000 settlement.

Sherman v. Avco Lycoming, United States District Court, San Jose,  $1 million verdict for husband and adult children of 64-year-old woman killed in a small plane crash due to defective engine crankcase.

Dubroff v. Reid, San Mateo Superior Court, settlement for wrongful death of Jessica Dubroff, age 7, who was killed while attempting to become youngest person to pilot an aircraft across the United States (see also companion case below, Dubroff v. Reid, regarding insurance proceeds).

Other aviation cases for defective planes, gliders, and helicopters, pilot error, negligent maintenance, and FAA controller error, including Medley v. USA (improper charting of terrain),  Kriticos v. Helitrans (verdict for negligent repair of helicopter fuel pump), Keeler v. Avco Lycoming, Walker v. Cessna (engine failure), and Welsh v. United Airlines (hole ripped in side of commercial airliner on flight to New Zealand).

Aviation Accident - Defective Fuel System
A confidential settlement was reached on behalf of Bill Hobbs and his wife Kathleen Evans who were injured in the crash of their Mooney aircraft in Nevada. Hobbs purchased the aircraft sight unseen from a Florida seller after having it inspected by a Florida aviation mechanical inspection company three months earlier. Hobbs contended that the mechanic failed to notify him of defects in the fuel system, which lead to an engine failure. The defense contended that the sole cause of the accident was pilot error. Hobbs and his wife suffered various fractures including those of the pelvis, tibia, and fibula. A settlement agreement was reached during trial.