The court of appeals affirmed a judgment of the district court. The court held that tort claims against government contractors arising from the crash of an Army helicopter in Afghanistan were barred by the government contractor defense.
An Army-operated Chinook helicopter crashed in the Kabul Province of Afghanistan in February 2007. The helicopter was transporting military personnel to Bagram Airbase when it encountered snow, rain and ice. Without warning, one of the Chinook’s engines suddenly shut down, and the helicopter crashed. Eight servicemen were killed and fourteen were severely injured.
