FADEC Failure Leads to Military Aviation Lawsuit

Case Title: Carter/McNair v. Rolls-Royce Corporation

On June 5, 2008, a United States Kiowa Warrior helicopter, OH58D, crashed near Kandahar, Afghanistan, killing the pilot and passenger. The pilot was conducting a general maintenance flight in which he was required to put the helicopter into autorotation. As he did so, the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) unit failed, causing a loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to recover even though he took all appropriate actions, and crashed. The pilot had served 24 years in the Army at the time of his death. Due to poor flight tracking procedures, the flight accident site was not discovered until four hours after the accident, but the degree of damage to the helicopter made it clear that the soldiers did not survive the crash. Slack Davis Sanger represented the estates of both of the helicopter occupants. Ladd Sanger negotiated settlements for these untimely and unnecessary deaths.

Ladd Sanger is an attorney and a licensed pilot who focuses on aviation accidents, including product liability, product litigation, and representing clients who have been injured as a result of aviation accidents. His experience as a pilot helps him understand the technical aspects of aviation crashes.

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