Bhavna Rohera, individually, and as Guardian ad Litem for Akash Rohera, a minor, and Risha Rohera, a minor v. Raytheon Aircraft Company; Teledyne Continental Motors Inc.; Tornado Alley Turbo Inc.; General Aviation Modifications Inc.; Kelly Aerospace Inc., and Does 1 through 50, inclusive
Published: Apr. 11, 2015 | Result Date: Mar. 12, 2015 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC457855 Verdict – Defense
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Gregory K. Lee
(Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker)
Timothy J. Ryan
(Bold Polisner Maddow Nelson & Judson)
Experts
Plaintiff
Arun Kumar
(technical)
William F. Kitzes
(Consumer Safety Associates)
(technical)
Douglas E. Stimpson
(technical)
Barry Schiff
(technical)
Defendant
Bob Minnis
(technical)
George Braly
(technical)
Jeffrey S. Edwards
(technical)
Randall R. Knuteson
(technical)
Facts
On July 15, 2009, Rajesh Vashdev was a passenger on a plane that was piloted by Mustapha Sesay. The plane crashed landed off the runway and into a parking lot at Hawthorne Municipal Airport. Vashev sustained fatal injuries.
Plaintiffs are decedent's wife, Bhavna Rohera, and two minor children.
Contentions
PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs claimed that the plane's turbocharger was defective, its piston ring permitted excessive coking and contamination, which resulted in resistance of rotation and diminished engine horsepower and caused the crash.
DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendants claimed that the plane's turbocharger was operating normally at the time of the accident, and the accident was more likely than not caused by the improper activation of the plane's fuel boost pump, which flooded the plane's engine.
Settlement Discussions
The lowest demand by plaintiffs was $6 million. The highest offer by the defense was $2 million.
Result
Defense verdict.
Other Information
FILING DATE: March 22, 2011.
Deliberation
one hour
Poll
12-0
Length
four weeks
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