Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. is fighting back against accusations that it’s trying to delay justice or engage in forum-shopping in the case of the 2020 helicopter crash that killed six Canadian Air Force members. The company, which is based in Connecticut, insists that its motion to move the suit from Pennsylvania to a federal court in Connecticut is not just a tactic to sidestep the case but a necessary step to ensure a fair trial.
The Crash That Shook Families and Nations
The tragic incident took place off the coast of Greece in April 2020, when a Sikorsky-made CH-148 helicopter malfunctioned during a low-altitude exercise. The families of the deceased airmen filed their lawsuit in 2023, accusing Sikorsky of making a flawed aircraft that overrode the pilots’ commands, sending the helicopter hurtling into the sea.
Sikorsky’s response, filed Tuesday with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, is a forceful defense against the claims that its motion to transfer the case to Connecticut is merely a strategic maneuver. The company’s legal team argues that such a move is not only legitimate but also far more practical given the circumstances. They assert that no one involved has any substantial ties to Pennsylvania, making Connecticut a more reasonable venue.
Claims of Forum-Shopping Rejected
Sikorsky rejects the argument that the company is “forum-shopping” by attempting to shift the case to a state more favorable to its defense. The families had initially filed the lawsuit in Pennsylvania, presumably in the hopes of achieving a better financial recovery. However, Sikorsky argues that their decision to file in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania was not based on jurisdictional convenience but rather their perceived advantage in that district.
