Originally Posted by
canyonblue737
Listening to the ATC tapes it is clear that ATC fully expected them to dump fuel and asked them about it, at least a couple of times. The crew responded there was no need and just asked for a downwind back to the airport. With the Pacific about 0.5 miles from the end of the runway and the failure having occurred over the water I think the lawyers will have a field day that with a secured engine they could have dumped out to sea OR if the PIC felt the emergency warranted no delay in landing they could have legally and safely landed over weight. Wish the crew the best but this seems weird.
This. As one in the aviation claims biz in the U.S., this is an easy case to make for any local lawyer to make against Delta. And there are plenty of aviation law firms with attorneys who are ex-pilots of all types that could bring fairly reasonable expertise to this one. The crew will be fine, legally, but Delta will most likely pay out early to prevent protracted lawsuits. In these cases, it's pay a little now, or pay more later. Not to mention, LA County is a favorable venue for plaintiffs to file a lawsuit. Innocent little kids vs. the big bad airline. Welcome to litigious America, ain't it grand?