Walter v. Cessna Aircraft Co.

The issue is whether the trial court erred when it found, as a matter of law, that the facts did not warrant submission of a punitive damage ques tion to the jury. We hold that the trial court did err and reverse.

On May 5, 1979, Paul Walter purchased a 1954 Cessna 195B airplane in Tampa, Florida. Walter, an experienced pilot, had been looking for this specific type of aircraft for some period of time because it was a five-passenger aircraft that, if properly maintained, was a rugged, safe airplane and could be purchased for far less than the cost of a new five-passenger plane. Prior to the…