Hop-A-Jet Files Lawsuit against OEMs, Service Providers

Charter operator Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter has filed a class-action complaint against Bombardier and its Learjet subsidiary, Turbine Engine Specialists, as well as GE Aerospace and Duncan Aviation, in relation to the Feb. 9, 2024 accident in Naples, Florida that killed two Hop-A-Jet pilots. The pilots made an emergency landing in their Bombardier Challenger 604 on the southbound lane of highway I-75 while on approach to Naples Airport (KAPF) after they reported a dual engine failure. Two passengers and a Hop-A-Jet flight attendant survived.

According to the complaint, “This Federal Class Action is brought: (1) to help organize and consolidate all actions resulting from this GE disaster, (2) provide an avenue for Hop-A-Jet (and plaintiffs) to recover any and all of their direct damages (that are now in the hundreds of millions of dollars) from those responsible, and (3) finally require GE to provide adequate notice to all purchasers of these specific family of GE engines, so another tragedy can be avoided.”

The complaint alleges that the Challenger’s GE CF34 engines suffered from a defect known to GE: “The cause of the catastrophe was a ‘non-recoverable dual rotating compressor stall’ arising from corrosion to the variable guide vane (VGV) systems of the CF34-3B engines powering the aircraft. GE designed and manufactured its CF34 family of engines without external lubrication access and with restricted inspection capability that increased the risk of VGV corrosion and allowed VGV corrosion to go undetected and, if detected, to be unreported.”

Hop-A-Jet further accuses GE of not sharing information about VGV system corrosion: “GE has had actual knowledge, at the latest in 2019, that the family of CF-34 engines are susceptible to corrosion of specific components of the VGV system. Instead of informing class members of the risks and enhanced maintenance and inspection procedures that could mitigate risks of engine failure, GE instead covered up the issue and even revised its OnPoint service contracts to exclude full corrosion coverage.”

While the NTSB has released docket information on the accident, it has yet to release a final report.

In response to a request for comment, a GE spokesman provided this statement: “We are deeply saddened by the accident and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those involved. Safety is our first priority, and our technical teams are supporting our customer and the National Transportation Safety Board’s ongoing investigation.”

Bombardier also issued a statement: “Bombardier remains deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts remain with those affected by this accident. We continue to fully support the authorities with their investigation and to cooperate as needed. We will refrain from comment on ongoing litigation.”