Cessna 185 $480 million seat-rail lawsuit!
Does anyone remember why Cessna got out of the single engine piston market for a decade? Maybe this current decision will remind them!
I don't know any particulars of this case, so cannot comment on the award and damages. But the seat rails are no better today than they were then (excepting the brand new machines)!
Florida jury awards $480 mln against Cessna-attorneys
NEW YORK, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A Florida jury on Thursday awarded $480 million in damages against Cessna Aircraft Company after plaintiffs injured in a 1989 crash sued the aircraft manufacturer.
The jury at Escambia County Circuit Court awarded the plaintiffs $80 million in compensation and $400 million in punitive damages against Cessna, a unit of manufacturer Textron Inc, said Wolk & Genter, attorney's for the plaintiffs.
Cessna Aircraft said that the lawsuit related to a crash involving a single-engine 185 Cessna plane which crashed and injured three people. No further details were immediately available.
Attorneys said that the verdict was the second punitive damages decision against Cessna related to defects in the seat latching system on some of its models. Textron could not confirm those details.
The aircraft maker said it would appeal the decision.
"Cessna is puzzled and disappointed by the jury verdict. We will aggressively pursue post-trial motions," the company said in a statement.
Textron manufactures jets, single and twin-engine civil aircraft through its Cessna unit and also makes Bell helicopters and golf carts among other businesses. Textron shares gained 43 cents to $56.37 at the end of Thursday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.