In a dramatic legal twist, Textron Inc. has managed to shake off a pilot’s lawsuit blaming the company for a plane crash allegedly caused by an engine upgrade kit. A Louisiana federal judge, Greg Gerard Guidry, delivered a decisive blow to the case, finding the pilot’s claims against the parent company lacked sufficient grounding.
Textron Drops LA Lawsuit : Textron Cleared of Liability
Textron Inc. has successfully dodged a legal storm as U.S. District Judge Guidry absolves the company of responsibility in a lawsuit brought forth by pilot David Craig Hare. The pilot claimed that a faulty engine upgrade kit, manufactured and sold by Textron, led to the harrowing crash of his Cessna 182T in Four League Bay off the coast of Louisiana.
A Year-Long Legal Battle Unravels
Hare filed the lawsuit in mid-2022, a year after the incident, alleging that a defect in the upgrade kit caused a critical malfunction. In the emergency water landing, Hare contended that the cotter pin designed to secure the nut holding the throttle to the fuel injector was the culprit. With Textron as the sole remaining defendant, the legal battleground intensified.
Textron Drops LA Lawsuit : Judge Guidry’s Verdict
However, Judge Guidry, in a decision laden with legal gravity, dismissed Hare’s claims against Textron. The judge emphasized that the pilot failed to provide adequate facts supporting the argument that Textron should be held liable for the actions of its subsidiary, Avco Corp.
Insufficient Grounds to “Pierce the Corporate Veil”
Crucially, Judge Guidry noted that the pilot’s complaint lacked substance, stating, “plaintiff has failed to state a claim against Textron upon which relief can be granted.” The judge rejected the notion of allowing Hare to amend his complaint, as the proposed changes were deemed “futile.”
Legal Complexity Unraveled
“To pierce the corporate veil, one essentially has to allege fraud. Allegations of fraud, in turn, must be pled with particularity,” remarked Brian LeCompte, counsel for Textron. He emphasized that the court dismissed Textron without delving into its summary judgment evidence, further asserting that the company did not manufacture or sell any product relevant to the litigation.
Textron Drops LA Lawsuit : Future Unknown for Hare
While Textron celebrates its legal triumph, the future remains uncertain for David Craig Hare, who was represented by John Wilbert III of Wilbert Law Firm. As of now, there has been no comment from Hare’s legal representation.
Textron’s Legal Defense
Represented by Brian M. LeCompte, Timothy G. Byrd Jr., and Farren L. Davis of McGlinchey Stafford PLLC, Textron emerged unscathed from a legal battle that showcased the intricacies of corporate liability and legal prowess.
