{"id":2345545,"date":"2024-09-24T22:04:55","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T02:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-orders-federal-government-to-pay-millions-to-snowmobiler-who-crashed-into-black-hawk-helicopter\/"},"modified":"2024-09-24T22:08:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T02:08:40","slug":"judge-orders-federal-government-to-pay-millions-to-snowmobiler-who-crashed-into-black-hawk-helicopter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-orders-federal-government-to-pay-millions-to-snowmobiler-who-crashed-into-black-hawk-helicopter\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge Orders Federal Government to Pay Millions to Snowmobiler Who Crashed Into Black Hawk Helicopter"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-orders-federal-government-to-pay-millions-to-snowmobiler-who-crashed-into-black-hawk-helicopter%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2345545&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iranian-dissidents-slam-nominee-for-top-defense-post\/\" title=\"Iranian Dissidents Slam Nominee for Top Defense Post\">federal judge ruled<\/a> that the U.S. government was mostly responsible for\u200b a 2019 snowmobile accident involving Jeff Smith, who nearly died after \u200ccrashing\u200d into a Black\u200b Hawk helicopter parked on a snowmobile\u200b trail in Massachusetts. The judge found the government 60% liable for not adequately\u2063 marking or illuminating the helicopter, which was camouflaged and parked without warning in an area frequently used by snowmobilers. Smith was awarded $3.3 million in damages, though he initially sought $9.5 million for medical expenses and lost wages. \u2062The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-pirro-chauvin-verdict-supported-by-facts-appeal-will-fail-american-justice-system-works\/\" title=\"Judge Pirro: Chauvin Verdict Supported By \u2018Facts,\u2019 Appeal Will Fail; \u2018American Justice System Works\u2019\">judge acknowledged<\/a> that both\u200c Smith \u2062and the helicopter crew bore\u200c some \u200bresponsibility, with Smith criticized for speeding and wearing tinted goggles. Smith&#8217;s injuries were severe, leaving him with significant disabilities and\u200c dependent on assistance. The government can either appeal the decision or pay the awarded\u2063 sum within 60 days.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> <script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The federal government was mostly responsible for a nighttime collision involving a snowmobiler who nearly died after hitting a Black Hawk helicopter that was parked on a Massachusetts trail, a judge ruled &mdash; awarding the man $3.3 million in damages.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni blamed both parties for the March 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/mississippi-highway-patrol-update-reveals-victims-connection-horrific-bus-crash-killed-7-injured-37\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">crash<\/a> in his ruling Monday, but said the government was 60 percent responsible for parking the helicopter on a snowmobile trail. He criticized Jeff Smith for not operating the snowmobile safely, for speeding and for wearing tinted goggles.<\/p>\n<p>Smith, a Massachusetts lawyer, had asked for $9.5 million in damages to cover his medical expenses and lost wages and to hold the military responsible for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ap-small-plane-crashes-residential-neighborhood-east-portland-oregon-home-engulfed-flames\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">crash<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are grateful for Judge Mastroianni&rsquo;s thoughtful consideration of the complicated facts of this case,&rdquo; Smith&rsquo;s lawyer Doug Desjardins said. &ldquo;We believe justice was served, and the decision encourages public safety.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The government has 60 days to pay Smith or appeal, Desjardins said. The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Smith&rsquo;s lawyers argued that the crew of the Black Hawk helicopter that flew from New York&rsquo;s Fort Drum to Worthington, Massachusetts, for night training was negligent for parking a camouflaged 64-foot aircraft on a rarely used airfield also used by snowmobilers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The court finds the government breached its duty of care in failing to take any steps to protect against the obvious risk of a camouflaged helicopter parked on an active snowmobile trail, in a somewhat wooded area, as darkness set,&rdquo; Mastroianni wrote. &ldquo;The helicopter and area where it was parked were not illuminated or marked in any way.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Smith also sued the owner of Albert Farms airfield in Worthington, accusing them of both giving permission to snowmobilers to use the trail and the Black Hawk crew to land in the same area. He settled with the farm owner for an undisclosed sum.<\/p>\n<p>Smith, who was airlifted to a trauma center with a dozen broken ribs, a punctured lung and severe internal bleeding, has been surviving on disability assistance. The 48-year-old struggles with simple tasks, including putting on socks or pulling up his pants. He no longer golfs or snowmobiles.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was a mess,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>His <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ap-tech-giant-settles-class-action-tracking-lawsuit-public-can-now-file-piece-massive-settlement-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lawsuit<\/a> argued that the helicopter crew <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-biden-defector-emails-pipeline-to-obama-admin-seen-as-currency\/\" title=\"Hunter Biden Defector Emails: &#039;Pipeline&#039; to Obama Admin Seen as &#039;Currency&#039;\">didn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t do enough to protect him, including failing to warn snowmobilers of the Black Hawk&rsquo;s presence on the trail, leaving the 14,500-pound aircraft briefly unattended, and failing to illuminate it. The helicopter landed on an air strip approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/search-and-rescue-teams-at-site-of-indonesian-plane-crash\/\" title=\"Search and rescue teams at site of Indonesian plane crash\">crew members<\/a> testified that trainings are often conducted in similar locations. But Smith, who said he had snowmobiled on the trail more than 100 times, said the last time an aircraft used it was decades ago when he was a child &mdash; and never a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/air-force-reintroducing-unique-controversial-aircraft\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">military aircraft<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The government attempted to dismiss the case several times, arguing that it could not be sued under the Federal Tort Claims Act because a policy decision was involved. But the judge disagreed and said the act allows for exceptions.<\/p>\n<p>The government also argued that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the crew members weren&rsquo;t told that they were landing on a snowmobile trail. The government also pushed back on claims that it could have prevented the accident and said the crew was not required to illuminate the helicopter. The government also attempted to cast blame on Smith, claiming he was driving his sled more than 65 mph and that he had taken both prescription drugs and drank two beers before his ride.<\/p>\n<p>In its investigation, the Army concluded the crew members weren&rsquo;t aware they were landing on a snowmobile trail. It also questioned whether glow stick-like devices known as chem lights used to light up the craft would have made a difference.<\/p>\n<p>The night of the accident, Smith said he was over at his mom&rsquo;s helping fix a computer. He had a beer with dinner and another with his dad before setting off to meet his brother, Richard Smith, on the trail. Jeff Smith drove in the dark alongside farm fields and forests before going over a ridge. His headlights reflected off &ldquo;something,&rdquo; he said, but Smith only knew it was a helicopter after the crash.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I found him face down in the snow,&rdquo; Benjamin Foster, one of the crew members, told the court. &ldquo;We rolled him on his back, and I might remember yelling or telling one of my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-major-league-stars-son-among-marines-dead-in-california-crash\/\" title=\"Ex-Major League Star\u2019s Son Among Marines Dead In California Crash\">crew chiefs<\/a> to grab some trauma shears and space blankets from the aircraft. &hellip; I remember him gasping for breath.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As soon as I heard that somebody on a snowmobile hit the helicopter, I knew it was my brother,&rdquo; Richard Smith said. &ldquo;My heart hit my stomach. I just knew it was him. I went down there, and my father told me he was alive. I didn&rsquo;t sleep that night. I spent that night on my knees praying.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A judge determined that the federal government bore most of the responsibility for a nighttime accident in which a snowmobiler nearly died after colliding with a parked Black Hawk helicopter on a Massachusetts trail, awarding him $3.3 million in damages. U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni found both parties at fault for the March 2019 incident but held the government 60% accountable for leaving the helicopter on a snowmobile path. He criticized Jeff Smith, the snowmobiler, for unsafe operation, speeding, and wearing tinted goggles. Smith sought $9.5 million to cover medical costs and lost income while holding the military liable for the crash. Smith&#8217;s attorney expressed gratitude for the judge&#8217;s careful consideration of this complex case and believed justice was served to promote public safety. The government has 60 days to either pay or appeal this decision.<\/p>\n<p>Smith\u2019s legal team argued that negligence was involved when Black Hawk crew members parked their camouflaged aircraft on an infrequently used airfield shared with snowmobilers during night training from Fort Drum in New York to Worthington, Massachusetts. Judge Mastroianni noted that there were no precautions taken against obvious risks associated with having an unmarked helicopter on an active trail as darkness fell.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Smith sued Albert Farms airfield&#8217;s owner for allowing both snowmobilers and military helicopters to use the same area; he settled with them privately. After suffering severe injuries including broken ribs and internal bleeding from being airlifted post-accident, Smith now relies on disability support and struggles with daily tasks.<\/p>\n<p>His lawsuit claimed insufficient measures were taken by helicopter crew members to protect him or warn others about their presence on the trail while also leaving their heavy aircraft unattended without illumination.<\/p>\n<p>The government attempted multiple dismissals based on claims of policy decisions under Federal Tort Claims Act but was overruled by Mastroianni who cited exceptions within it allowing such cases against them.<\/p>\n<p>Despite arguments claiming lack of jurisdiction or knowledge about landing conditions from crew members\u2014alongside assertions regarding Smith\u2019s speed exceeding 65 mph after consuming alcohol\u2014the Army investigation concluded they were unaware they had landed where snowmobiles operated frequently.<\/p>\n<p>On that fateful night before his accident while helping family fix technology issues over dinner drinks prior meeting his brother Richard along trails through darkened fields\u2014Smith only recognized it was a helicopter upon impact when he saw its reflection moments before collision leading him into critical condition requiring immediate assistance from nearby personnel who responded quickly upon discovering him injured amidst snowy terrain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2345546,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/0c6e326be28149c8800c60fbf008eed4.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[41650,24830,41651,41649,13216],"class_list":["post-2345545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-aviationaccident","tag-compensation","tag-federalgovernment","tag-legalnews","tag-snowmobile"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/0c6e326be28149c8800c60fbf008eed4.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2345545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2345545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2345545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2345546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2345545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2345545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2345545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}