Kohler v. Aspen Airways, Inc.

Opinion

CARR, J.

On a flight from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe, defendant’s airplane encountered clear air turbulence, causing the plane to plummet 500 feet in two to three seconds. Plaintiff, a fare-paying passenger on the flight, sustained neck injuries. She filed suit against Aspen Airways alleging negligence generally of the defendant in causing the airplane to precipitously drop and further specific acts of negligence in (1) failing to fly or direct the aircraft on a flight plan that would minimize or avoid the effect on the aircraft and its passengers of the turbulence, which was known or…