Mother of Man Who Died in 2018 Helicopter Crash Awarded $116 Million

A mother’s fight for justice ends in a record-breaking $116 million lawsuit victory following her son’s tragic death in a 2018 helicopter crash.

At a Glance

Nancy Cadigan has been awarded $116 million in a lawsuit over her son Trevor’s death in a 2018 helicopter crash.
The crash occurred during a doors-off helicopter tour over New York City’s East River.
Five passengers drowned, trapped by safety harnesses designed to prevent falls.
Jury found FLYNYON, Liberty Helicopter, and Dart liable for the tragedy.
The verdict is the biggest of its kind in New York history.

A Tragic Tour Turns Fatal

On a fateful day in March 2018, what was meant to be an exhilarating aerial tour of New York City turned into a nightmare for five passengers aboard a doors-off helicopter. Among them was 26-year-old Trevor Cadigan, a young journalist whose life was cut short when the aircraft plunged into the East River. The crash, which left only the pilot alive, has now resulted in a record-breaking $116 million lawsuit verdict for Cadigan’s mother, Nancy. Trevor’s father, Jerry, was also named in the lawsuit, but he reportedly passed away in July.

The ill-fated flight, operated by Liberty Helicopters for FLYNYON, took off from New Jersey and flew past iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center. Just 14 minutes after takeoff, disaster struck. The helicopter tipped on its side, sending water flooding into the cockpit. What followed was a desperate struggle for survival as passengers found themselves trapped by the very harnesses meant to keep them safe.

A Quest for Justice

Nancy Cadigan’s legal battle, which culminated in a three-month jury trial, shed light on the dangers of doors-off helicopter tours. The lawsuit claimed that these tours were inherently more dangerous due to the restrictive harness and tether systems used. In a cruel twist of fate, the pilot survived because he was not similarly strapped down, able to free himself as the passengers struggled.

“These doors-off helicopter tour operators put Trevor in a death trap, and they knew it. They were fully aware for months that the passengers would have no chance of escape from their makeshift harness and tether system in the event of an emergency water landing,” Kansas-city attorney Gary C. Robb said.

The jury found FLYNYON, Liberty Helicopter, and Dart, an aerospace parts manufacturer, liable for the tragedy. Notably, Airbus, the helicopter manufacturer, was not held responsible. The verdict sends a strong message about the importance of passenger safety in aerial tourism.

The Fatal Flaw

Investigators determined that the crash was caused by a loose, improvised safety harness that caught on the helicopter’s fuel shut-off lever, killing the engine. This revelation highlights the importance of proper safety protocols and equipment in aviation. The harnesses, originally intended to prevent falls, instead became death traps, making it nearly impossible for passengers to escape as the helicopter took on water.

In a transcript of an onboard video, one of the passengers was recorded to have asked, “How do I cut this?” while trying to free himself from the harness. The ill-fated passengers were reportedly shown a safety video before the flight instructing them how to use a knife in the safety harnesses to cut themselves free and how to unscrew the locked carabiner on the harnesses. However, the family’s lawyer argued it was unreasonable to expect the passengers to take all those actions in such a frightening moment. In addition, the knives were reportedly found to be “ineffective” at cutting the harnesses.

The lawsuit also claimed that the helicopter’s inflatable floats malfunctioned, contributing to the rapid sinking of the aircraft. Rescuers faced significant challenges in their attempts to free the passengers from their tight harnesses, underscoring the critical need for easily accessible emergency release mechanisms in such tours.

Implications for Aerial Tourism

While FLYNYON continues to offer doors-off tours, the Federal Aviation Administration has mandated improved harnesses following this tragic incident. The record-breaking verdict serves as a wake-up call to the industry, emphasizing the need for stringent safety measures and thorough risk assessments in aerial tourism operations.

The Cadigan family’s legal victory may pave the way for increased scrutiny of similar tour operations across the country. It also raises questions about the balance between thrilling experiences and passenger safety in the tourism industry. As aerial tours continue to gain popularity, this case will likely influence future regulations and safety protocols.

While no amount of money can bring back Trevor Cadigan or the other victims of this tragic accident, the lawsuit’s outcome provides a measure of justice and may help prevent similar incidents in the future. It stands as a somber reminder of the responsibilities that come with offering unique and potentially risky experiences to the public.