Jury rules airline not negligent for bumpy ride
BARNSTABLE, Mass (AP) — A jury found that Cape Air was not negligent for taking passengers up on a gusty, rainy day, resulting in a terrifying plane ride.
Monday's ruling came in a lawsuit filed against the regional airline by passenger Albert Gendreau, 47, who said he developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the June 2000 flight.
Gendreau was one of nine passengers on the flight from Hyannis to Martha's Vineyard, which took off in rainy weather and wind gusting to 25 knots.
Passengers testified that the plane pitched up and down as magazines flew around the cabin and dirt from the floor hit the ceiling. Pilot Rafael Mira said he maneuvered the plane up and down to maintain steady altitude, then turned around and made an emergency landing. When the plane hit the runway, a tire blew out.
Gendreau's attorney, Albert Grady, said the pilot was inexperienced and made bad decisions.
Cape Air's attorney, Richard Campbell, questioned Grady's claims. Gendreau never mentioned anything about the flight to his psychologist until 16 months after the flight, according to court documents. He agreed that it was a "bumpy ride," but said the pilot responded properly.
