British Parents of Grand Canyon Helicopter Crash Victim to Receive £79 Million

The parents of a British man who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon will receive a £79 million payout. Jonathan Udall, along with his new wife and three other friends, died when the helicopter they were on crashed and caught fire in February 2018. Mr. Udall suffered severe burns to 90% of his body and passed away after spending 12 days in the hospital. His parents filed a lawsuit claiming that the accident could have been prevented if the helicopter had been equipped with safety measures to prevent fires. According to the settlement approved by a Nevada judge, the couple will receive £59.3 million from Airbus Helicopters SAS and £19.4 million from Papillon Airways. The family hopes that this outcome will encourage helicopter manufacturers to prioritize safety and prevent others from experiencing the same devastating loss. Their lawyer, Gary C Robb, stated that many helicopters have unsafe fuel tanks, which can cause catastrophic accidents in the event of a hard landing. Mr. and Mrs. Udall plan to use some of the money to raise awareness about helicopter safety and provide support for burn survivors. An investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board suggested that the Grand Canyon crash was likely due to a loss of control caused by a strong tailwind.