Jonathan Udall and his wife Ellie died in the Airbus helicopter crash during a tour of the Grand Canyon
The parents of Jonathan Udall, a British tourist who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon in 2018, will receive a significant £78 million payout.
Jonathan, 31, along with four other Britons, including his newlywed wife Ellie, died in the Airbus helicopter crash that later burst into flames during a tour of the Grand Canyon.
The lawsuit, filed for wrongful death by Jonathan's parents, Philip Udall and Marlene Udall, contended that their son could have survived if not for the fire after the accident.
The approved agreement, sanctioned by a US judge in Clark County, Nevada, designates £19.3 million from helicopter operator Papillon Airways and £59.3 million from Airbus Helicopters SAS, the French manufacturer.
Jonathan Udall's parents expressed hope that this important settlement would incentivize helicopter manufacturers to adopt safer technologies, sparing other parents from similar heartbreak.
Gary C Robb, his lawyer, revealed the intention to allocate a portion of the settlement money to defend helicopter safety and support for burn survivors.
Robb emphasized the urgency of addressing the prevalent problem of unsafe fuel tanks on helicopters, detailing the horrific consequences when fuel spills on passengers, causing ignition and severe burns. The Udall family aims to shed light on this public health issue and push for immediate corrective action.
The tragic incident involved an Airbus EC130 B4 engulfed in flames after crashing into the Arizona tourist attraction. The group, made up of friends celebrating a birthday and newlyweds on a trip to Las Vegas, experienced devastating losses, with Jonathan Udall succumbing to severe burns after 12 days in the hospital.
The National Transportation Safety Board's 2021 report attributed the probable cause of the crash to the pilot losing control in tailwind conditions. Pilot Scott Booth, who survived with serious injuries, described encountering a “violent gust of wind” that caused the plane to spin.
The Udall family's pursuit of justice culminates in this groundbreaking settlement, which emphasizes the need to improve safety measures in the aviation industry.
