United States v. The State of Washington and Wenairco, Inc., a Corporation, the State of Washington v. United States

ELY, Circuit Judge:

This action arose from the crash of an aircraft and the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b) and 28 U.S.C. § 2671 et seq.

The plane, a light tandem type, was owned by Wenairco and at the time of the crash was occupied by the pilot, Sam Violett, a bailee, and Martin Braun, his passenger. The men were then engaged in civil defense practice for the State of Washington, and both were killed. The State fulfilled its obligation for payment of compensation benefits to the survivors of its employees and then sought, by action against the United States, to…