Rotary 13 members and invited guests gathered on the lower level of the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 1301 Wyandotte Street with select individuals participating remotely via Zoom and Facebook Live. President Tim Tholen brought the assembly to order at 12:10pm with a tap of the bell. The group stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, and Lon Lawton’s invocation reminded us to navigate difficult times with patience and principles. The group stood in a moment of silence for friends Bill Kort and Joann McEachen who departed life earlier this week.
Tom Woolwine led the club in cheering the March birthday attendees and regaling them with the happy song. There were two member anniversaries to announce this week: Evie Craig, 22 years; and Lisa Hickok, 10 years. President Tim noted that the door greeters today were the March birthday Rotarians and expressed his gratitude to them.
Past President Eric Bubb brought forward two new Club 13 members for introduction. Matt Palcher is a native of Kansas City, Kansas who resides in Strawberry Hill. He works as a realtor for Reece Nichols. Clay Wagenhals first came into contact with Rotary while growing up in Colorado. He works as a mechanical engineer for Burns & McDonnell. The group warmly welcomed their remarks and membership.
Mandy Sheldon reminded everyone of the need for bagel run volunteers, including for this weekend and for March 15th. Sally Bibb encouraged all to register for the Rotary Roundup at Rotary Youth Camp on Thursday, March 13th. It features BBQ dinner, line dancing, a 50/50 raffle, and a cash bar. Please sign up via QR code ($30). President Tim underscored the ribbon-cutting event for Percussion at Play at RYC, scheduled for 1:30pm on March 22nd.
At 12:20 pm, Past President Duane Benton introduced this week’s guest speaker, attorney Andrew Robb of the firm Robb & Robb, LLC. Duane and Andrew are well-acquainted: Andrew clerked for Judge Benton earlier in his career, and Judge Benton officiated at his wedding. Andrew is a native of Kansas City who attended Carnegie Mellon University and the law school at the University of Michigan. He joined the law firm headed by his parents in 2020. His wife also practices at Robb & Robb, where they specialize in personal injury and aviation accidents.
Mr. Robb recently participated in the largest single, wrongful death verdict in New York’s history. His firm took the case of Trevor Cadigan to trial for 3.5 months at the Supreme Court of the State of New York. In 2018, Mr. Cadigan went on a helicopter tour over NYC landmarks, including open-door shoe selfies, that ended in tragedy. The engine lost power, the pilot made an emergency landing in the East River, and all the passengers drowned. Mr. Robb showed the cabin video of the group flying, landing, and then disappearing under the water.
Because of the open-door photographs, all passengers flew with fall arrest harnesses. (The pilot, with a closed door, did not.) The loose strap of one of the harnesses hooked a full flow valve, triggering the need for an emergency landing. The aircraft touched down safely in the river, but one of the flotation devices beneath it failed, and the helicopter tipped over into the water. Exiting the harnesses required cutting through their webbing, which the provided ‘escape blades’ could not do. The pilot managed to get to the top of the craft, but the others could not.
The trial contained much discoverable evidence that put the helicopter company at fault. Additionally, expert witness testimony on part of the harness and escape blade system demonstrated its design failure to the jury. Mr. Robb was never certain of the trial’s outcome, but appreciated the verdict rendered. He noted that the ruling is presently on appeal.
Questions for Mr. Robb began at 12:43 and included the size of the verdict ($116MM for one plaintiff—the others had previously settled), the assignment of fault (80% to helicopter operator, 20% to flotation system manufacturer), and the choice of water for landing (in NYC, pilots are trained to head for the rivers). He clarified that his firm does little work in commercial aviation disputes, focusing instead on private aviation. The 3-month format of the case seemed long to many in attendance; Mr. Robb indicated that with 4 defendants, ~30 experts testifying, and many fact witnesses, it adds up to many days in court. The $116MM ruling is on appeal, but the zing of a 9% interest rate in play on the final amount will make it large regardless. Mr. Robb indicated a personal preference for aircraft with two engines and two pilots.
President Tim thanked Mr. Robb for his presentation and for summarizing the case of Mr. Cadigan. Ending announcements recapped upcoming Club 13 events including that there is no lunch meeting next Thursday, owing to the Big 12 Tournament downtown. He then shared the following with the group:
“There’s no such thing as bad weather—only the wrong clothes.” –Billy Connolly
At 13:01, the 4-Way Test closed the session, followed by the bell.
