Rolls-Royce Settles Fatal Alabama Helicopter Crash for $8M

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The family of a man killed in a 2010 helicopter accident in Fort Rucker, Alabama, has reached an $8.5 million settlement with two companies.

The Dothan Eagle reports that Rolls-Royce Corporation, which was responsible for inspecting the helicopter, will pay $8 million to the family of 38-year-old Jeremy Clark, an instructor pilot who died in the Dec. 14, 2010 crash. Helicopter maintenance company L-3 Communications agreed to pay $500,000. A student pilot was also injured in the crash.

U.S. District Court documents show that the settlement terms were agreed upon last year and were approved in late March.

Jennifer Clark, the pilot’s wife, says the helicopter malfunctioned five days before the wreck and wasn’t properly repaired.

As part of the settlement agreement, the defendants deny all liability and responsibility for the accident.