AA Flight 1420 Captain's Widow Wins 2.1M Lawsuit in Little Rock Crash...

[Guitar Guy]

"How could anybody justify putting that two-story steel structure in a place where an airplane is supposed to be safe?" attorney Arthur Wolk asked.

I was on one of the NTSB accident investigation teams for that accident. It was interesting to note how the approach light support system was changed. When we did the on-site work immediately after the accident, I was able to see the support pylons up close. They were fairly large-diameter steel posts, hollow on the inside with fairly heavy gauge steel. I heard at that time that the reason for those formidable posts was that with the lights being in a flood plain for the Arkansas River, it was difficult to come up with a design that was both frangible and yet could resist floodwaters. The FAA apparently had required frangibility but issued a waiver owing to the proximity of the river.

Fast-forward just a few months to when we were back up in LIT making some runway measurements. I got to see the replacement supports and they were very different - a pair of smaller posts configured in a V-shape instead of the earlier, larger posts. Apparently the new design was more frangible and acceptable to the feds.

When I first heard that Susan Buschmann was suing, I wondered if the design of the original support posts would be an issue. They sure did a number on that plane, essentially breaking the fuselage into 3 pieces. I'd be interested to hear the legal arguments about the original supports, especially if the FAA signed off on them in the first place.

 

[100LL... Again!]

Maybe the wives of the Cali pilots can sue god or mother nature for thoughtlessly installing a mountain right in the middle of their route of flight.

Pilots make mistakes, even though they might be good pilots.

Real men fess up to their failures and faults. It is a disgrace that this woman cannot deal with the reality that her husband was largely responsible for this accident. I have no sympathy for her whatsoever. Her need to rationalize her husband's error is quite clear here, but shows a clear lack of character and maturity on her part.

The no-fault society we are building for ourselves will be our eventual downfall.
People no longer want to be responsible for their own actions.

And a certain "aviation lawyer" is a poison in the American justice system.
I'd pay fifty bucks to slap him into next week.

 

[FN FAL]

I'd pay fifty bucks to slap him into next week.

Why, what's happening next week?

 

[TonyC]

Why, what's happening next week?

For one thing, Susan Buschmann will wake up and realize she's still a widow.






.

 

[FN FAL]

For one thing, Susan Buschmann will wake up and realize she's still a widow.

That's the sad part about the concept of civil or criminal justice...for the dead, there is none.

 

[Wankel7]

Naw, they'll just raise the prices on parking, concessions, etc....
But I agree. Closing the airport would definately send a message to the LR jury pool.

And all the cargo planes that gas up there.....EEKKK

 

[gern_blanston]

But I agree. Closing the airport would definately send a message to the LR jury pool.

If the average jurist could see into next week. Most folks are so short-sighted, they probably wouldn't make the connectioin.
Like my dad always said, "The masses are asses."

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Hey, lighten up! This lady needs some income!

 

[mattpilot]

Hey, lighten up! This lady needs some income!

What happened to life insurance?

 

[sqwkvfr]

"I feel like my husband's been exonerated," Susan Buschmann said

Flashbacks of Jean Carnahan.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I wonder what perspective we'd have if we were the jury and gathered all the facts of the case instead of a news report designed to invoke emotions and increase readership.....

Not only did the widow's lawyers present the case, but a jury agreed.

If we are to shun lawyers then how about the juries and judges that concur with them!!

Things that make you go...hmmmmm