New York, NY — A legal battle stemming from a tragic helicopter crash in New York City’s East River has culminated in a $90 million settlement for the family of Trevor Cadigan, a 26-year-old journalist who lost his life in the 2016 accident. This settlement was reached after a Manhattan court approved the agreement, effectively reducing a prior jury award of $116 million and preventing further appeals.
Trevor Cadigan, originally from Dallas, had only recently relocated to New York City when he perished alongside four others after their doorless sightseeing helicopter plunged into the frigid waters. The crash, which occurred due to a critical mechanical failure, has since sparked significant changes in the regulation and oversight of commercial helicopter flights.
Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) pinpointed the cause of the crash to a passenger’s restraint tether inadvertently catching on a fuel shutoff switch, which immediately stopped the engine. The design of the safety harnesses rendered escape nearly impossible for the passengers once the helicopter began to sink. The pilot, fortunately, managed to free himself and survive.
The aftermath of the incident led to a temporary suspension of all doors-off helicopter flights by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These flights were allowed to resume under stringent new guidelines, including the implementation of restraints that can be released swiftly and singly by passengers.
In court, significant emphasis was placed on the preventable nature of the tragedy, pushing for accountability from those deemed responsible. The lawsuit named FlyNYON, the company responsible for arranging the flight, and Liberty Helicopters, which owned and operated the aircraft. Additionally, Dart Aerospace, the maker of the flotation devices fitted to the helicopter, was also implicated. While Dart Aerospace declined to comment, attempts to reach representatives from FlyNYON and Liberty Helicopters remained unsuccessful.
Family attorney Gary C. Robb expressed that the settlement marks a double victory for his clients: achieving justice for Trevor and elevating awareness about the need for enhanced safety measures in helicopter tours. “This resolution brings to light the critical need for rigorous operational standards within the aerial sightseeing industry,” Robb stated.
The tragic event not only claimed Cadigan’s life but also those of his friend Brian McDaniel, Carla Vallejos Blanco, Tristan Hill, and Daniel Thompson, all of whom had ventured on the ill-fated aerial tour of the city.
This incident, while heartbreaking, spurred regulatory changes aimed at bolstering passenger safety in similar flight experiences, thereby leaving a lasting impact beyond the considerable financial compensation agreed upon in court.
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