Kreindler Settles Mitsubishi MU-2 Airplane Crash Involving Icing Near Malad City, Idaho

What Happened

Kreindler was successful in obtaining a substantial confidential sum for the families of victims of a 1996 Mitsubishi MU-2 airplane crash in which eight people were killed, including several Coca-Cola Company and advertising agency executives. 

On January 15, 1996, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-36, FAA registry number N693PA, crashed approximately eight miles northwest of Malad City, Idaho. The MU-2B aircraft had departed from Salt Lake City, Utah, and was headed to Pocatello, Idaho.  In the NTSB’s Final Accident Report, the investigation noted as probable cause, “continued flight by the flight crew into icing conditions with known faulty de-ice equipment.”

Kreindler Successful in 10-Year Legal Battle with CIGNA Over Compensation

A 10-year effort to recover payment under a CIGNA aircraft insurance policy recently ended with an agreement that CIGNA would pay a substantial confidential sum to the families of victims of a 1996 Mitsubishi MU2 airplane crash. The Utah crash killed several Coca-Cola Company and advertising agency executives. By 1998, Kreindler & Kreindler had successfully obtained settlements for the families against most defendants, including the manufacturer of the aircraft. Nevertheless, CIGNA refused to cooperate or settle, and the firm refused to yield in our efforts to maximize the compensation to our clients.

Despite CIGNA’s denial, partners Brian Alexander and Frank Fleming argued the Mitsubishi aircraft was covered under a liability policy issued near the time of the accident.  The issue raised in our declaratory judgment action against CIGNA concerned whether the accident aircraft was covered under a liability policy issued to an entity that had leased the aircraft near the time of the accident. CIGNA claimed its insured was not the lessee of the airplane when it crashed

The issue raised in our declaratory judgment action against CIGNA concerned whether the accident aircraft was covered under a liability policy issued to an entity that had leased the aircraft near the time of the accident. CIGNA claimed its insured was not the lessee of the airplane when it crashed.