Charter Company Blames GE, Bombardier, Learjet for Engine Corrosion

Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter is coming after multiple major business aviation providers, including General Electric and Bombardier, for negligence and concealment related to a 2024 crash that resulted in the death of two of its pilots. A probe into the accident claims that the dual engine failure was caused by known corrosion.

The crash involved a Challenger 604 that was descending into Naples, Florida, when both engines failed. The pilots, Edward Murphy and Ian Hofmann, attempted to make an emergency landing on Interstate 75, but did not survive. The passengers, a flight attendant, and a few very lucky motorists did. Hop-A-Jet argues that the negligence of several companies is to blame.

Filed in late September, the suit names General Electric, Bombardier, Learjet, and maintenance providers like Duncan Aviation as defendants. Hop-A-Jet claims GE knew for years that its CF34 engine family suffered from corrosion in a component called the variable guide vane system, which essentially manages airflow through the engine.

"The cause of the catastrophe was a 'non-recoverable dual rotating compressor stall' arising from corrosion to the variable guide vane (VGV) systems of the CF34-3B engines powering the aircraft. GE designed and manufactured its CF34 family of engines without external lubrication access and with restricted inspection capability that increased the risk of VGV corrosion and allowed VGV corrosion to go undetected and, if detected, to be unreported," the complaint explains.

Bombardier and the maintenance firms are accused of signing off on inspections that somehow failed to spot the issue at all. And, instead of fixing it, Hop-A-Jet alleges that GE buried the problem.

"We are deeply saddened by the accident and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those involved,” a GE spokesperson commented. “Safety is our first priority, and our technical teams are supporting our customer and the National Transportation Safety Board’s ongoing investigation."

GE Aerospace has until late November to respond to the complaint, while others face deadlines in October. The NTSB’s final report is still pending.

FMI: www.hopajetworldwide.com