Billie Kelly v. American Airlines, Inc.

In this Texas diversity suit plaintiff, Billie Kelly, while a passenger on an American Airlines 747 flight from Dallas, Texas to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in August 1971, was injured when the tail section of the 747 experienced a severe and sudden jolt approximately 500 miles from San Juan. The district judge, without a jury, denied plaintiff recovery against American Airlines, Inc., holding that she failed to prove any negligence. The trial court, in deciding the case, refused plaintiff’s request to apply the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur to air turbulence cases. We affirm.

The main issues…