Cockrell v. United States

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

BREWSTER, Senior District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

This ease arises out of a mid-air collision between two aircraft approaching Ramona Airport, in San Diego County, California, on June 21, 1995. Both aircraft were returning to Ramona after being released from fire suppression activities over the “Butterfield fire.”

Gary Cockrell, Lisa Netsch and Michael Smith were killed as a result of the accident. Gary Cockrell and Lisa Netsch, employed by Aero Union Corporation, were the pilot and co-pilot of the DC-4 air tanker aircraft, known as “Tanker 19”. Michael…