Roberts v. Trans World Airlines

Plaintiff, a passenger on a scheduled plane flight, sues the airline as the result of a landing accident. He appeals after a defense verdict and denial of his motion for new trial.

At the trial plaintiff relied upon the inference of negligence drawn from the res ipsa loquitur doctrine, particularly as expressed in passenger actions against carriers. The airline produced evidence designed to show exercise of care on its part and to establish a ‘ ‘ non-negligent ’ ’ explanation for the accident. The jury were fully instructed on res ipsa loquitur. With one minor exception, no procedural errors…