Plaintiffs Claim Engine Parts Were Defective

A federal lawsuit filed against Teledyne Continental Motors has been moved from Kentucky to Mobile, Alabama, where the company is located. There are a number of other companies named in the lawsuit as well, which was filed over three years ago.

The suit charges that Teledyne Continental manufactured defective engine parts which were put into the engine of a Piper Cherokee that went down near an airport in Central Kentucky on a flight to Frankfort. According to the NTSB report, the pilot, Larry Crouch, said he noticed smoke coming from the front of the airplane and was attempting an emergency landing. Both he and his passenger, Teddy Hudson, suffered severe injuries and were paralyzed. The NTSB probable cause report says the accident was caused by "loss of engine power for undetermined reasons."

The Press Register of Mobile, AL, reports that lawyers for Crouch and Hudson say the engine failure was due to the failure of a single-shaft dual magneto sold by Teledyne. The engine manufacturer said it is not company policy to comment on pending litigation.

Crouch and Hudson are seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of potential earnings, and pain and suffering. No dollar amount has been specified.

FMI: www.genuinecontinental.aero