Seattle News Helicopter Crash — Ladd Sanger Secures Settlement in Case Involving Airbus Design and Safety Failures
Ladd Sanger represented the family of a videographer killed in the crash of an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter shortly after takeoff from a Seattle helipad. The aircraft, operating under contract for a local television station, lost yaw control and crashed, resulting in fatalities and injuries on the ground.
While federal investigators attributed the crash to a loss of hydraulic pressure during pre-takeoff checks, Ladd and his team developed evidence showing broader design and safety failures. Their investigation revealed that Airbus had prior knowledge of risks associated with inadvertent liftoff during hydraulic testing, understated the forces required to maintain control, and failed to adequately warn pilots of those hazards. The case also examined critical design issues – including the use of a two-position hydraulic test switch and the absence of safeguards to prevent improper power settings – that increased the likelihood of loss of control.
On behalf of the family, Ladd pursued product liability claims arising from these failures. The matter resolved in a confidential settlement, and the firm’s findings contributed to the broader understanding of safety risks associated with the aircraft model.
Through extensive discovery and independent analysis, Ladd and his team went beyond the initial findings to identify systemic issues in the aircraft’s design and operation. Evidence showed Airbus was aware of prior incidents involving unintended liftoff during hydraulic testing – referred to internally as “the phenomenon” – yet failed to fully investigate or communicate the risks to operators and pilots.
The case further highlighted how degraded hydraulic pressure during testing could significantly impair a pilot’s ability to control yaw, particularly without clear guidance on required pedal forces. Contributing factors included a cockpit design that allowed the hydraulic test switch to remain engaged and a power control system that could be inadvertently advanced beyond safe levels during preflight checks.
Ladd’s team also uncovered that safer alternative designs – including modifications to the power lever mechanism – had been developed prior to the crash but were not effectively implemented or communicated. These findings were submitted to federal investigators and underscored the importance of clear safety guidance, human factors design and manufacturer accountability in aviation operations.