Christopher Sanders, Aircraft Collision, California 2020

Crime Pays, But Only Once: Aircraft Collision Scandal

San Diego, California, April 16, 2024 - In a shocking turn of events, the United States has recovered a staggering $2,020,000 in a lawsuit brought against defendants Christopher Sanders, Tac Air Ops, LLC, Tac Air California, Inc., Kapowsin Air Sports, Ltd., the City of San Diego, Brown Field Municipal Airport, Brown Field Aviation Ventures, Inc., and Lancair Corporation for their role in the devastating aircraft collision at Brown Field Municipal Airport on May 30, 2020.

The tragic incident involved a parked United States Marine Corps MV-22 'Osprey' aircraft and a taxiing De Havilland DHC-6-100 'Twin Otter' aircraft, owned by Kapowsin, and leased and operated by the Tac Air defendants. The collision caused significant damage and resulted in a substantial loss to the United States and the Navy.

After a lengthy investigation, the United States brought a lawsuit against the defendants in 2023, accusing them of negligence and breach of restrictive covenants. The case, United States of America v. Christopher Sanders et al., 23-cv-1000-W-DDL, was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Cile Glover-Rogers.

In an unprecedented move, the United States and defendants stipulated to dismiss the case with prejudice, entering a global settlement agreement that resulted in the recovery of $2,020,000. This development has brought closure to the devastating incident and serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in such high-stakes events.

The U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath commented on the case, stating, 'This unfortunate incident caused an MV-22 to be stricken from service, which resulted in a significant loss to the United States and the Department of the Navy.' McGrath added, 'Securing an early resolution in this case achieved the right result.'

The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of negligence and reckless behavior. As the nation continues to navigate the complexities of aviation, it is essential to prioritize safety and accountability.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/united-states-recovers-more-2-million-aircraft-collision-case