Verdict in California helicopter crash awards pilot killed $8,676,696

Case Name:

Sharon Hiser v. Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.

Case Number: G029637

Date: 08/22/03

State: California

Details:

In this wrongful death action arising from a helicopter crash, the jury awarded the widow of the pilot $8,676,696 against the manufacturer of the helicopter. Briefly, plaintiff’s decedent, Floyd Hiser, was killed when his helicopter crashed during a fire suppression mission. Shortly before the crash, Hiser reported by radio he had suffered a “flameout.” Plaintiff argued the flameout was caused by fuel “starvation,” i.e., although sufficient fuel was on board the helicopter, for reasons attributed to a defective fuel transfer system, fuel flow to the engine was disrupted. Defendant argued the flameout was caused by fuel “exhaustion,” i.e., Hiser simply ran out of fuel. As defendant concedes, the jury accepted plaintiff’s version.

Verdict Outcome:

Plaintiff verdict for $8,676,696 awarded to widow of pilot