GE Culpable in 2008 Sikorsky Crash, Jury Says

Bethany Whitfield

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 10:27 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A jury ordered General Electric to pay $70 million for its 57% role in a 2008 Sikorsky S-61N helicopter crash, agreeing with plaintiffs that an alleged engine design flaw was responsible.
The lawsuit claimed GE was aware of a problem with the engine’s fuel control valve but failed to act, leading to the deadly crash.
The verdict contradicts NTSB findings, which attributed the crash to excessive weight and the negligence of the helicopter's owner, Carson Helicopters.
General Electric expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating it contradicts NTSB findings, and plans to appeal the decision.

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A jury on Tuesday ordered General Electric to pay $70 million in damages for its role in the August 2008 crash of a Sikorsky S-61N helicopter.

The verdict came after the surviving pilot and the family of the co-pilot killed in the crash filed a $177 million lawsuit against General Electric for negligence associated with an alleged design flaw in the CT58-140 engines used in the S-61N.