Grand Canyon helicopter crash victim’s parents awarded £78 million

The parents of Jonathan Udall, a British tourist who tragically died in a helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon in 2018, are set to receive a substantial £78m payout.

Jonathan, 31, along with four other Britons, including his newlywed wife Ellie, died in the Airbus helicopter crash which then burst into flames during a tour of the Grand Canyon.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jonathan’s parents, Philip Udall and Marlene Udall, argued that their son could have survived if not for the post-crash fire.

The approved settlement, approved by a US judge in Clark County, Nevada, calls for £19.3m from helicopter operator Papillon Airways and £59.3m from Airbus Helicopters SAS, the French manufacturer.

Jonathan Udall’s parents expressed hope that this meaningful settlement would encourage helicopter manufacturers to adopt safer technologies, preventing other parents from suffering similar grief.

Gary C Robb, their attorney, revealed the intention to allocate a portion of the settlement money to support helicopter safety and burn survivor support.

Rob highlighted the urgent need to tackle the widespread issue of unsafe fuel tanks in helicopters, detailing the horrific consequences when fuel spills onto passengers, leading to ignition and serious burns. The Udall family aims to shine a light on this public health concern and demand immediate remedial action.

The tragic incident involved an Airbus EC130 B4 that burst into flames after crashing into the Arizona tourist attraction. The group, made up of friends celebrating birthdays and newlyweds on a trip to Las Vegas, suffered devastating losses, with Jonathan Udall succumbing to extensive burns after 12 days in hospital.

The 2021 National Transportation Safety Board report attributed the probable cause of the crash to the pilot losing control in tailwind conditions. Pilot Scott Booth, who survived with serious injuries, said he encountered a “violent gust of wind”, which caused the aircraft to spin.

The Udall family’s pursuit of justice culminates in this groundbreaking settlement, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures in the airline industry.