Las Vegas, Nevada – A routine tourist helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon turned fatal in February 2018 when an Airbus EC130 B4 crashed and burst into flames due to a violent gust of wind. The tragic incident claimed the lives of five British individuals on board.
After a long legal battle, a Nevada court has approved a settlement awarding the parents of one of the victims, Jonathan Udall, a payout of $100 million. Jonathan, 31, was on vacation with his wife and friends in Las Vegas, celebrating a birthday and his recent marriage. The settlement mandates Papillon Airways Inc., the helicopter operator, to pay $24.6 million, with Airbus Helicopters SAS, the aircraft manufacturer, paying $75 million.
The lawsuit argued that the helicopter lacked a crash-resistant fuel system, causing it to ignite upon impact. Jonathan Udall suffered burns on 90% of his body and succumbed to his injuries after 12 days in the hospital. The family’s attorney emphasized their desire to raise awareness about this safety issue within the helicopter industry and prevent others from experiencing similar tragedies.
In response to such incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented new regulations in 2020 mandating all helicopters to be equipped with crash-resistant fuel systems to prevent fires in accidents.
The tragic helicopter crash over the Grand Canyon in 2018 resulted in a $100 million settlement for the family of one of the victims. The lawsuit highlighted the lack of crash-resistant fuel systems in helicopters and called for industry-wide improvements in safety regulations.