In a Nevada court, a judge has given the green light to a substantial $100 million cash settlement awarded to the parents of a British tourist, Jonathan Udall, who lost his life in a tragic helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon in 2018. The crash claimed five lives, including Udall’s newlywed wife.

Settlement Breakdown: Who Pays What?

The approved settlement designates $24.6 million from Papillon Airways Inc., the helicopter operator, and a significant $75.4 million from Airbus Helicopters SAS, the French manufacturer, to Udall’s family. This massive compensation was ratified in Las Vegas, emphasizing the responsibility held by both the operator and the manufacturer in this fatal incident.

Fuel Tank Vulnerability: A Critical Concern

The Udall family’s attorney, Gary C. Robb, highlighted a crucial concern regarding the vulnerability of aircraft fuel tanks, describing them as potential fire hazards. They stressed the urgent need for public awareness regarding the risks associated with these fuel systems, pointing out that such vulnerabilities could turn into catastrophic fire bombs during crashes.

Safety Regulations and Industry Response

The lawsuit brought attention to the absence of a crash-resistant fuel system in the helicopter involved, a safety feature mandated for aircraft built post-2020 under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Robb underscored that while some manufacturers have taken voluntary steps to replace these older fuel tanks, many others have not followed suit, posing a significant risk to passengers’ safety.

Tragic Losses and Legal Proceedings

The helicopter crash claimed the lives of Jonathan and Ellie Milward Udall, along with three other individuals on a sightseeing tour outside the Grand Canyon’s national park boundaries. Investigations revealed that the absence of a crash-resistant fuel system might have contributed to the severity of injuries and loss of life in this otherwise survivable incident.

Industry Awareness and Safety Measures

Robb stressed the distressing scenario where the hard-plastic fuel tanks rupture upon impact, causing fuel to spill onto passengers before igniting. This disturbing sequence was cited as a primary cause of the severe burns and tragic fatalities suffered by passengers unable to escape due to the intense fire.

Investigation Findings and Safety Upgrades

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified turbulent winds as a probable factor leading to the loss of control and tail-rotor effectiveness before the crash. While mechanical issues weren’t found, the absence of a crash-resistant fuel system was noted as a critical concern. In response, Papillon Airways retrofitted its fleet with improved fuel tanks, designed to expand and seal upon impact, ensuring passenger safety.

Ongoing Commitment to Safety

Papillon Helicopters, through spokesperson Matt Barkett, reiterated their commitment to safety, highlighting the absence of mechanical issues and pilot error in the NTSB’s findings. Barkett emphasized the company’s swift action in installing crash-resistant fuel cells across their fleet once approved by the FAA, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and marking the closure of a challenging chapter in the company’s history.

Sources:

• The Associated Press
• Clark County District Court
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)