Erickson Air-Crane Co. v. United Technologies Corp.

Plaintiff purchased a helicopter from defendant, the manufacturer, in 1971. It crashed on June 5,1981, while being operated by plaintiffs lessee. One person was killed in the accident, and another was injured; the helicopter was destroyed. Plaintiff commenced this action in May, 1983, seeking damages for the loss of the helicopter. Defendant filed a third-party complaint against the lessee of the craft, seeking contribution. The jury found all parties negligent and returned a verdict against defendant in the amount of $7,404,775 and against the third-party defendant in the amount of $555,358.…