The widows of two Philadelphia news crew members killed in a 2023 helicopter crash have initiated a significant legal action against Airbus, alleging that a “known defect” in the aircraft’s design led to the fatal accident. Rosalyn Collins and Elaine Dougherty filed the complaint in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas, targeting the manufacturer shortly before the second anniversary of the tragedy.
Why It Matters
The lawsuit claims that Airbus was aware for decades that the hydraulic system in the AS-350A-STAR model was prone to failures that could leave pilots unable to maintain manual control. If the plaintiffs’ arguments hold, the case could raise serious questions regarding the safety standards of widely used utility helicopters and the manufacturer’s responsibility to address historical design flaws that potentially put flight crews in unrecoverable positions.
What to Know
The accident occurred in December 2023 within New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest while pilot Monroe Smith, 67, and photographer Christopher Dougherty, 45, were operating a leased 6ABC Action News helicopter. The legal complaint focuses on the AS-350’s hydraulic system, which is designed to help pilots manage the aerodynamic forces on the rotor blades. The plaintiffs argue that when this system fails, the resulting physical force required to steer the aircraft is often beyond human strength.
While the investigation into the cause continues, an NTSB preliminary report released in January 2024 indicated there were no engine abnormalities during the flight, further focusing the legal challenge on the control systems. The suit also names Sterling Helicopters, which reportedly replaced parts of the hydraulic system in 2019 and inspected the aircraft again in 2021, as well as various component manufacturers.
What People Are Saying
The families of the victims characterize the incident as a fight against a preventable hazard. They contend that the crew was placed in an “impossible position” due to design choices that prioritize mechanical assistance without a manageable manual backup. Beyond the legal technicalities, the crew members are remembered for their dedication to their craft and their community. According to an analysis by The Philadelphia Inquirer, former colleagues described Smith and Dougherty as genuine individuals who always had the best interests of others at heart.
What Happens Next
The plaintiffs are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, signaling an effort to hold the companies accountable for what they describe as “knowing indifference” toward pilot safety. Airbus has declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit or the incident. As the case moves through the Philadelphia court system, the focus will likely turn to the “continuous use” durability of the hydraulic parts and whether the manufacturer ignored long-standing warnings about the aircraft’s manual control limitations.
