In a landmark ruling, a federal court has found the U.S. government predominantly at fault for an incident in which a snowmobiler collided with a stationary Black Hawk helicopter on a Massachusetts trail, resulting in severe injuries to the rider. The collision, which occurred under the cover of night in March 2019, led to the snowmobiler, Jeff Smith, nearly losing his life. U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni awarded Smith $3.3 million in damages after concluding that while both parties bore responsibility, the government's decision to park the helicopter on an active snowmobile trail without adequate warning or illumination constituted a greater share of negligence.
Smith, a lawyer from Massachusetts, had initially sought $9.5 million in compensation for medical costs and lost earnings, aiming to highlight the military's accountability for the hazardous positioning of their aircraft. The Black Hawk was camouflaged and unlit at the time of the accident, making it virtually invisible against the backdrop of a wooded area as dusk approached.
The case shed light on operational oversights by the crew members who had flown from Fort Drum in New York to Worthington, Massachusetts, for nighttime training exercises. They chose an infrequently used airfield — known also to be utilized by snowmobilers — as their landing site without taking measures to mitigate potential risks to civilian recreationalists.
Judge Mastroianni noted that there was a clear breach of duty by failing to safeguard against “the obvious risk” posed by parking a camouflaged helicopter on an active trail used by snowmobilers at night.
While Smith did receive criticism from Judge Mastroianni for speeding and not wearing appropriate safety gear at the time of the crash — factors contributing to his own degree of fault — it was determined that these actions did not absolve the government from its significant role in creating a dangerous situation.
The outcome has been welcomed by Smith's legal team as both just and conducive to public safety awareness. "This decision underscores the importance of ensuring public spaces are safe and free from unnecessary hazards," stated Doug Desjardins, Smith’s attorney.
This judgment comes with implications for how military activities intersect with civilian use areas, especially regarding temporary uses like training exercises. It raises questions about procedural checks and balances necessary to prevent such accidents from occurring in future.
Smith’s ordeal following the accident highlights not just immediate physical trauma but also long-term impacts on quality of life; he now faces daily challenges performing simple tasks and has had to give up previously enjoyed activities like golfing and snowmobiling due to his injuries.
The government now faces a 60-day window either to compensate Smith as ordered or file an appeal against Judge Mastroianni’s decision. At this juncture, representatives have yet to publicly respond to inquiries regarding their next steps following this ruling.
Smith, a lawyer from Massachusetts, had initially sought $9.5 million in compensation for medical costs and lost earnings, aiming to highlight the military's accountability for the hazardous positioning of their aircraft. The Black Hawk was camouflaged and unlit at the time of the accident, making it virtually invisible against the backdrop of a wooded area as dusk approached.
The case shed light on operational oversights by the crew members who had flown from Fort Drum in New York to Worthington, Massachusetts, for nighttime training exercises. They chose an infrequently used airfield — known also to be utilized by snowmobilers — as their landing site without taking measures to mitigate potential risks to civilian recreationalists.
Judge Mastroianni noted that there was a clear breach of duty by failing to safeguard against “the obvious risk” posed by parking a camouflaged helicopter on an active trail used by snowmobilers at night.
While Smith did receive criticism from Judge Mastroianni for speeding and not wearing appropriate safety gear at the time of the crash — factors contributing to his own degree of fault — it was determined that these actions did not absolve the government from its significant role in creating a dangerous situation.
The outcome has been welcomed by Smith's legal team as both just and conducive to public safety awareness. "This decision underscores the importance of ensuring public spaces are safe and free from unnecessary hazards," stated Doug Desjardins, Smith’s attorney.
This judgment comes with implications for how military activities intersect with civilian use areas, especially regarding temporary uses like training exercises. It raises questions about procedural checks and balances necessary to prevent such accidents from occurring in future.
Smith’s ordeal following the accident highlights not just immediate physical trauma but also long-term impacts on quality of life; he now faces daily challenges performing simple tasks and has had to give up previously enjoyed activities like golfing and snowmobiling due to his injuries.
The government now faces a 60-day window either to compensate Smith as ordered or file an appeal against Judge Mastroianni’s decision. At this juncture, representatives have yet to publicly respond to inquiries regarding their next steps following this ruling.
