Family of Jonathan Udall, who perished in the 2018 crash, receives settlement from helicopter operator and manufacturer.
The parents of British tourist Jonathan Udall, who tragically died after suffering severe burns in a helicopter crash at the Grand Canyon in 2018, are set to receive a £78 million settlement. Jonathan, 31, was one of five British tourists who perished after an Airbus helicopter crashed and burst into flames on February 10, 2018, during a honeymoon trip.
Jonathan, originally from Southampton, was left with burns covering 90% of his body and died 12 days later in hospital. His parents, Philip and Marlene Udall, filed a wrongful death lawsuit, arguing that their son might have survived if it hadn’t been for the post-crash fire.
Under the terms of the settlement, which was approved by a US judge in Clark County, Nevada, on Friday, the Udalls will receive $24.6 million (£19.3 million) from the helicopter’s operator, Papillon Airways, and $75.4 million (£59.3 million) from the French manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters SAS.
In a statement, the Udalls expressed hope that the settlement would prompt manufacturers to implement safer technology in helicopters to prevent future tragedies. Their lawyer, Gary C. Robb, explained that part of the settlement would be used to advocate for better helicopter safety and support for burn survivors.
Robb stressed the need for safer fuel tanks, highlighting the issue with helicopters that have “unsafe, flimsy fuel tanks” that can rupture on hard landings, spilling fuel onto passengers and igniting, as seen in the crash. He called for immediate corrective action to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The crash occurred at the Grand Canyon shortly before sunset, with the Airbus EC130 B4 engulfed in flames after the crash. Alongside Jonathan Udall, other victims included his wife, Ellie Udall, who died from burn injuries after being transferred to hospital, and friends Becky Dobson, 27, Stuart Hill, 30, and Jason Hill, 32, who died at the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the crash identified tailwind conditions as a probable cause of the pilot losing control. The pilot, Scott Booth, sustained severe leg injuries and was left with both legs amputated, while other passengers, including Jennifer Barham, suffered significant injuries but survived.
