Third Circuit Affirms Ruling That General Aviation Revitalization Act ("GARA") Does Not Shield Continental Motors From Liability

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a lower court's ruling that the General Aviation Revitalization Act ("GARA") does not protect Continental Motors, Inc. ("Continental") from liability for a defective exhaust valve.

In 2010, Daniel Snider died after the aircraft in which he was a passenger crashed due to an engine failure. Mr. Snider's widow and son sued Continental, alleging that it had negligently manufactured a component part of the engine that ultimately failed. Plaintiffs specifically alleged that the engine's exhaust valve guide in the cylinder assembly was defective. The plane's cylinder assembly had been replaced six years prior to the crash. At trial, the jury agreed with the plaintiffs' contentions and found Continental liable.