Verdict Reached in 2018 Helicopter Crash Lawsuit
A New York jury awarded $116 million to the family of Trevor Cadigan, one of five passengers killed in a 2018 no-door helicopter crash in New York City. Cadigan, 26, tragically died after the helicopter plunged into the East River, leaving the passengers trapped in safety harnesses that were impossible to release in time. The jury found three companies responsible for the crash, assigning fault to each for their role in the incident.
Misleading Safety Measures
According to the family’s attorney, Gary C. Robb, the safety harnesses used on the flight were never meant for aviation use. The harnesses were construction-grade fall protection gear, which misled passengers into believing they could easily escape in an emergency. “It was a death trap,” Robb said. The crash and subsequent deaths have been described as preventable if proper safety measures had been followed.
Breakdown of Liability
The jury attributed 42% of the blame to FlyNYON, the company that arranged the flight, and 38% to Liberty Helicopters, which owned the aircraft and provided the pilot. Another 20% of the responsibility was assigned to Dart Aerospace, the manufacturer of the flotation device that malfunctioned during the crash, contributing to the rapid sinking of the helicopter.
Crash Details and Fatal Outcome
The helicopter went down after a passenger’s tether accidentally snagged on the helicopter’s fuel shutoff switch, causing the engine to stop, according to federal investigators. While the pilot, secured with a seatbelt, was able to free himself and survive, the five passengers, including Cadigan, were unable to release their harnesses in time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation revealed that the passengers drowned as the helicopter sank within seconds.
NTSB Findings: Exploited Loopholes and Faulty Equipment
The NTSB largely held FlyNYON responsible for installing difficult-to-escape harnesses and circumventing safety regulations. The company had promoted “sneaker selfies,” encouraging passengers to dangle their feet from the no-door helicopter while flying over Manhattan. However, FlyNYON labeled the flights as “commercial photography” rather than “sightseeing” to avoid stricter safety standards required for air tours.
While FlyNYON pointed to the helicopter’s design flaws and malfunctioning flotation device, Dart Aerospace suggested the pilot may not have used the flotation system correctly. The pilot, however, claimed passengers had received a pre-flight briefing on how to cut themselves out of the harnesses in an emergency.
Changes to Doors-Off Flights
After the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded all doors-off flights using tight seat restraints. These flights resumed only after implementing new regulations requiring restraints that could be released with a single action.
