United States v. Reynolds

These suits under the Tort Claims Act 1 arise from the death of three civilians in the crash of a B-29 aircraft at Way cross, Georgia, on October 6, 1948. Because an important question of the Government’s privilege to resist discovery 2 is involved, we granted certiorari. 343 U. S. 918.

The aircraft had taken flight for the purpose of testing secret electronic equipment, with four civilian observers aboard. While aloft, fire broke out in one of the bomber’s engines. Six of the nine crew members and three of the four civilian observers were killed in the crash.

The widows of the three deceased…