Products Liability Law Reporter

Pilot Joshua Reikes took off in a Beech A36 airplane that was carrying passengers Dawn Stelling, Robert Stelling, and Michael Zareski. Shortly after takeoff, the plane experienced complete engine failure. Reikes began emergency procedures and landed the plane in a field. He and Dawn Stelling were able to escape the aircraft, which caught fire. Robert Stelling and Michael Zareski survived the crash but, unable to escape the plane, died from smoke inhalation and burns. Zareski is survived by his wife and four children. Stelling is survived by wife Dawn Stelling and three children.

Shanna Zareski, individually and on behalf of Michael’s estate, and Dawn Stelling, individually and on behalf of Robert’s estate, sued Champion Aerospace LLC, which designed, manufactured, and distributed the 6300 series magnetos, a component installed in the aircraft as part of its ignition system, alleging strict liability, negligence, wrongful death, breach of implied and express warranties, loss of consortium, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiffs asserted that the defendant had designed and manufactured the magnetos in such a way that left them in a defective condition, unreasonably dangerous to the user.

Zareski settled for $3.5 million. Stelling settled for an undisclosed amount.

Citation: Zareski v. Champion Aerospace LLC, No. 8:20-cv-04236-JD (D.S.C. May 10, 2021).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Stuart R. Fraenkel and Nicole C. Anderson, both of Los Angeles; AAJ members Justin Green and Vincent Lesch, both of New York City; and AAJ members Mark D. Chappell, Graham L. Newman, and James D. George, all of Columbia, S.C.