Representative Aviation Matters

Since 1968, Katzman Lampert & Stoll has represented individuals and families in complex aviation accident litigation arising from commercial airline operations, corporate and general aviation activity, military rotorcraft incidents, and aircraft product liability matters. The firm’s work has involved proceedings in state and federal courts across the United States and has included coordination with aviation engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, and regulatory experts.

Scope of Aviation Litigation Since 1968

Over more than five decades, the firm’s aviation practice has encompassed transport-category airline disasters, privately operated and corporate aircraft crashes, rotorcraft incidents, military and contractor-operated aviation matters, and complex aircraft product liability proceedings. These matters have required sustained engagement with federal regulatory frameworks, technical engineering analysis, and appellate-level legal issues.

Many of the matters summarized below required detailed analysis of aircraft systems, certification standards, maintenance practices, and operational oversight under applicable federal aviation regulations. Several involved parallel engagement with National Transportation Safety Board investigations and issues concerning the interaction between regulatory findings and civil litigation.

The cases identified here are representative of the firm’s aviation litigation experience. They reflect participation in airline disaster litigation, rotorcraft and military matters, product liability disputes, and significant trial proceedings. The summaries are intended to provide context regarding the nature and scope of the firm’s aviation practice and are not exhaustive of all matters handled.

Each case turns on its own facts, governing law, and evidentiary record. The summaries below describe the general nature of the litigation and the technical issues presented in those proceedings.

The matters summarized below illustrate a number of recurring issues that arise in aviation accident litigation, including aircraft design defects, maintenance failures, operational decision-making, and the interaction between federal aviation regulations and state tort law. A broader discussion of these recurring patterns appears in our analysis of Trends in Aviation Crash Verdicts: Observations from Reported Matters.

Commercial Airline Matters

TWA Flight 800 (Boeing 747 Fuel Tank Explosion Litigation)

Coordinated litigation arising from the crash of a Boeing 747 off Long Island, New York, involving center wing fuel tank ignition analysis, integration of National Transportation Safety Board findings, and federal appellate interpretation of the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) in relation to United States territorial waters.

United Airlines Flight 232 (DC-10 Engine Failure Litigation)

Litigation arising from the catastrophic failure of a DC-10 tail-mounted engine near Sioux City, Iowa, involving metallurgical evaluation of a titanium fan disk, hydraulic system loss analysis, and coordinated multi-party proceedings concerning engine manufacturing and inspection practices.

United Airlines Flight 585 (Boeing 737 Rudder System Litigation)

Litigation arising from the crash of a Boeing 737-200 near Colorado Springs, Colorado, involving examination of the aircraft’s rudder power control unit and alleged uncommanded rudder deflection. The matter required detailed analysis of transport-category flight control systems, certification standards, and hydraulic component behavior.

USAir Flight 427 (Boeing 737 Rudder System Litigation)

Proceedings arising from the crash of a Boeing 737-300 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, involving technical evaluation of servo valve performance, rudder system dynamics, and aircraft controllability. The litigation formed part of broader regulatory and industry review of Boeing 737 rudder system design and certification.

General Aviation & Corporate Aircraft

Representative matters in this category include litigation involving privately operated and corporate aircraft, engine failure claims, maintenance-related issues, structural integrity questions, and operational oversight disputes. Additional discussion of this sector is available at Private & Corporate Aircraft Accident Litigation. These cases often require evaluation of aircraft systems performance, inspection practices, and compliance with applicable federal aviation standards.

Helicopter & Rotorcraft

The firm has handled rotorcraft matters involving civilian and military helicopters, including product liability claims, structural failure allegations, maintenance oversight disputes, and complex systems malfunction. These proceedings frequently require coordination with aviation engineers and detailed technical analysis of rotary-wing aircraft components.

Military & Government Contractor Matters

Certain matters have involved military aviation and issues affecting government contractors, including claims implicating federal regulatory frameworks and specialized defenses. These cases require careful examination of certification standards, procurement specifications, and the interaction between federal law and civil litigation. Additional information regarding this practice area is available at Military & Government Contractor Aviation Litigation.

Significant Trial Proceedings

Select matters have proceeded through substantial trial preparation and jury proceedings in state courts, involving presentation of complex aviation systems evidence and expert testimony concerning aircraft design, certification, and operational performance.

Estate of Brokaw v. National Air Cargo, Inc.

Jury trial litigation involving a transport-category cargo aircraft crash and issues of operational oversight, regulatory compliance, and complex aviation evidence.