It could be that AJ's estate is not the true target of this litigation and that they hope that by establishing that he was responsible then they can move on to the much wealthier estate of the person that employed him in the first place... Either way - it must be terrible for AJ's family.
For balance, however, lets remember that there is a woman now bringing up two kids on her own (very possibly without an income?) who's wondering why a helicopter that had nothing identifiable found to be wrong with it flew straight and level into a well known mountain.... there are two sides.
Remember this is a civil court, so it's not "beyond reasonable doubt" it's "balance of probabilities".
I'm afraid that i think this one might have longer legs than many of us will be comfortable with...
food for thought
OH