The SW-51’s operating manuals are clear that you shouldn’t take off unless the engine is developing takeoff power, that you need to check the gauges to make sure that the engine is operating properly, and that for takeoff power the gauges need to show about 50 inches of manifold pressure.
When the Test Pilot Ignores the Gauges: Lawsuit Filed Against TacAero and Kevin Sutterfield
TacAero — the Fredericksburg, Texas taildragger operation now controlled by Kevin “Showtime” Sutterfield — has been sued for the crash of an experimental scale P-51 aircraft. Sutterfield himself was at the controls on the aircraft’s maiden flight when he crashed within sight of TacAero’s hangar at T82.
Background: What TacAero Does
TacAero specializes in taildragger
Montreal Convention Does Not Protect United Airlines From Passenger’s Malicious Prosecution Lawsuit
A passenger boarded a United flight from Rome to San Francisco. He asked for food. The flight attendant refused. The two exchanged words. Eventually, another flight attendant heard the argument and brought the passenger some crackers. The passenger ate the crackers, took his seat, and went to sleep.
While the passenger slept, the flight attendant
Evidence from Bell Helicopter Case Yields Clue in Unsolved Murder Investigation; Exposes Aviation Industry Influence
The FAA is too cozy with the manufacturers it is supposed to regulate. I’ve been writing about that since 2009. The press is just now becoming interested, asking how the FAA ever allowed the 737 Max to be certified.
What does that have to do with a helicopter case and a murder investigation?
Air Force Agrees to Change ARFF Procedures; Pay $1.4 Million to Settle Andreini Death Lawsuit
Aerobatic hall of fame pilot Eddie Andreini was flying a routine at the Travis Air Force Base. He was attempting a stunt known as an inverted ribbon cut. Something went wrong. Eddie’s Stearman slid upside down along the runway, coming to a stop at show center. His Stearman caught fire. Eddie couldn’t get out. The crowd watched, prayed, and waited for fire trucks to arrive. Some bystanders wanted to rush to the plane to help, but the announcer warned everyone to stay back and “let the firefighters do their job.”
Continue Reading Air Force Agrees to Change ARFF Procedures; Pay $1.4 Million to Settle Andreini Death Lawsuit
Family Sues ICON for Fatal A5 Crash
ICON Aircraft hired away from Ford Motor Company a superstar PhD to lead its engineering department. When Cagri Sever showed up at ICON’s facility in Vacaville, the first thing ICON did was send him off on a “demonstration” flight with the company’s chief pilot, Jon Karkow. Karkow flew to
Lake Berryessa, a virtual stone’s throw from the ICON factory. Once there, Karkow couldn’t resist the urge to engage is some low level maneuvering over the water. Minutes after takeoff, Karkow crashed onto the shore, leaving both of them dead.Continue Reading Family Sues ICON for Fatal A5 Crash
Bogus Airplane Parts and a Cessna 182 Crash
A courageous client speaks to Stephen Stock about the risks to the flying public.
Sikkelee v. Precision Airmotive Corp.: Manufacturer Can Be Sued Even Though FAA Approved Design
Here’s the pre-emption argument:
Our plane’s design was approved by the FAA. If plaintiffs think there is something wrong with it, they should take it up with the FAA. But they should leave us alone.”
Manufacturers make this argument in just about every aviation case we bring. We respond that that the FAA
Spirit Airlines Likely Immune from Allred’s Suit Alleging Airline Served Too Much Alcohol
Injured passengers have filed suit against Spirit Airlines in connection with last month’s drunken melee on board a flight from Baltimore to LAX. The plaintiffs, represented by Los Angeles attorney Gloria
Allred, seek to hold Spirit Airlines responsible for the conduct of the unruly passengers who injured them because Spirit Airlines allegedly fueled the
Van’s Aircraft Company Sued
Experimental amateur-built aircraft crash more often than those assembled in a factory. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that, when compared to factory-built aircraft used in similar flight operations, amateur-built aircraft crash three times as often. Our own National Transportation Safety Board studied the amateur-built accident rates and made similar findings.
One might expect that, because