Aviation, +4
Aviation
Cadigan v. Liberty Helicopters: Aviation Verdict and Settlement
A tether-triggered engine shutdown and failed emergency escape led to five deaths, a $116 million verdict, and a final $90 million settlement.
Loading
Loading
Review of Case Materials
Reviews records, documents, testimony, data, and other relevant materials and consults with counsel regarding technical issues related to the matter.
Provide Expert Analysis
Applies specialized knowledge and experience to evaluate the technical or professional issues involved.
Form Expert Opinions
Develops independent, supportable opinions based on the available evidence and relevant standards.
Prepare Expert Reports
Showing Results 0 of 0
A helicopter’s major flight controls typically include the cyclic, collective, and anti-torque controls, which influence rotor-blade pitch, aircraft attitude, lift, and directional control. An expert may examine the control linkages, rotor system, recorded inputs, component condition, maintenance history, and available flight information when control response is disputed. The FAA’s Helicopter Flying Handbook separately addresses helicopter flight controls, components and systems, performance, and emergency conditions.
Maintenance logs and component histories may document inspection activity, repairs, replacements, accumulated service, alterations, and prior discrepancies. Those records may be compared with physical findings involving rotor components, transmissions, engines, controls, or other systems to help assess when a condition may have developed and whether earlier maintenance or component history is technically significant.
Some helicopters incorporate stabilization, trim, or automatic flight-control systems that affect aircraft stability or assist with control. When such equipment is relevant, an expert may examine system configuration, operating modes, recorded data, maintenance information, warnings, and the relationship between automated functions and pilot inputs. FAA guidance identifies trim systems, Stability Augmentation Systems, and Automatic Flight Control Systems among helicopter flight-control technologies used in appropriate configurations.
Questions involving hover capability, weight and balance, rotor performance, power available, environmental conditions, or aircraft response may require analysis specific to the helicopter model and operating circumstances. The applicable flight manual, performance data, configuration, loading, altitude, temperature, and recorded flight information can all become relevant. When the dispute is principally aerodynamic or engineering-based, Aeronautical Engineering may also be an appropriate specialty.
Aviation, +4
Aviation
Aviation, +7
Prepares clear, well-supported expert reports outlining methodology, analysis, findings, and opinions.
Provide Deposition Testimony
Explains findings and opinions under oath and responds to questioning during deposition testimony.
Testify in Court
Presents specialized findings and opinions clearly to judges, juries, arbitrators, or other decision-makers.
Helicopter expertise is specifically centered on rotorcraft systems, components, controls, configuration, maintenance, and helicopter operating characteristics. Aircraft expertise covers aircraft more broadly, while Pilot expertise is more directly concerned with pilot training, procedures, actions, and decision-making. The FAA likewise treats rotorcraft as a distinct technical discipline encompassing rotorcraft aerodynamics, structures, avionics, operations, maintenance, and performance.