Heyl Royster has experience in representing clients in aviation and airport-related matters. Recently, we successfully represented a major airport in lengthy litigation with a FBO. We have represented defendants in personal injury cases arising from aviation accidents. We also have experience in representing an FBO in transactional and litigation matters.
This area of law requires an understanding of the statutory law and regulation operable in this field, including sponsor assurance agreements. We have experience in dealing with these issues. Heyl Royster offers a broad array of legal services in the aviation field.
Representative Clients
Bloomington Normal Airport Authority
Frasca Aviation
US Aviation Underwriters
United Airlines, Inc.
Significant Cases
- National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois f/k/a N.C. Illinois Trust Company, as Executor of the Estate 01 L 138, 01 L 171 Florida airplane crash occurred just after take-off due to a faulty throttle linkage assembly installed just 1.7 flight hours before the accident. The pilot and his wife, along with another couple, all perished in the accident. The maintenance facility settled before suit. The issue was whether the pilot engaged in appropriate measures after the power failure occurred. Complex case with multi-million dollar demand settled favorably through mediation.
- Avemco Ins. Co., Inc. v. Elliott Aviation Flight Services, Inc. 86 F. Supp. 2d 824 (C.D. Ill. 2000) Trial of an airplane crash case involving a Bonanza A36 during a biennial flight review. The issue was determining who was the pilot in command between the flight instructor and the pilot undergoing the biennial flight review.
- Platinum Jet Center BMI, LLC, et al. v. Bloomington Normal Airport Authority Circuit Court, McLean County, Illinois Case No. 06 CH 381 Plaintiff FBO sought $6 million in damages from defendant airport alleging contractual breach; judgment against defendant (our client) for $8,500. No appeal taken.
Publications
- "Aviation Law: Preemption of State Law Tort Claims by the Federal Aviation Act - Do State Law Tort Claims Survive the Attack? [Cleveland v. Piper Aircraft Corp., 985 F.2d 1438 (10th Cir. 1993)]," Washburn Law Journal (1993)
