Winans v. Rockwell International Corp.

ALVIN B. RUBIN, Circuit Judge:

Two pilots, attempting an emergency landing in a nine-year-old private jet after discovering an onboard fire, died when the plane exploded in mid-air. After hearing five days of testimony in the resulting wrongful death suit against the plane’s manufacturers and some of its overhaulers and repairers, the jury returned a verdict for the defendants. The plaintiffs claim the trial court erred in instructing the jury on the standard of care applicable to the defendants, in not instructing the jury on res ipsa loquitur, and in several evidentiary rulings. We hold that…