Don’t see the relevance of Shore Guy and others’ comments. The jury found that if the lighting array had been where it was recommended to be the captain might not have died when the cockpit hit it. The court did not absolve the flight crew from responsibility for the situation, nor does it question the NTSB’s findings. And since nobody knows whether they would have drowned in the river had the array not been there, it can’t be considered as evidence in court. Basically, the widow may have deserved a sacked husband, but not a dead one. Can’t see anything about the world being held to ransom by lawyers in this story. If you don’t put structures where they are supposed to be or install them as they are supposed to be installed, you are wide open to liability if it should result in death or injury.
There should be arrestor-beds at runway ends, and if that is not possible at least they should be clear of obstacles.