Originally Posted by
Jim59
This post is deliberately vague to disidentify the event in question since it's not really pertinent to the main point. I had no involvement.
Following the accident, in which nobody was injured, the loss adjuster (LA) interviewed the pilot (not an instructor) and passenger from the single engine light aeroplane. By all accounts the LA was a friendly outgoing chap and chatted to quite a few other people before leaving. The LA determined from 'loose tongues' that the passenger (a qualified pilot but not listed as a pilot on the syndicate’s insurance policy) had, for at least part of the flight, handled the controls. Consequently the insurer voided the policy leaving the pilot liable for life-changing amounts of money to her/his syndicate partners and others.
Have you ever allowed a passenger, qualified or otherwise, to handle the controls on an SEP whilst you are PIC? If so would you do it again?
No, because first I've rarely had the opportunity, second my passengers had no real desire to do so and third, my rental agreements IIRC all specifically prohibited this. Now, as for the legal issues others are referring to, just get it through you heads that if there is a major insurance claim at hand, your insurance agent, adjuster and company are no longer your friends and you are no longer their customer--you are the enemy. Anything over a few 100K and they will go into full combat mode to avoid paying you. Lawyer up immediately!