Federal Preemption Narrowed for Aviation Product Manufacturers in Sikkelee v Precision Decision
The decision could require aviation suppliers to defend claims against conflicting tort laws of individual states.

A decision by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals on April 19 this year has effectively narrowed the scope of federal preemption in aviation product liability claims. The Jill Sikkelee v. Precision Airmotive decision negated a long legislative history that allowed federal law, such as the Federal Aviation Act and the FAA regulations, to override individual state tort laws in the field of aviation. If not overturned on appeal, the Sikkelee decision could require aviation suppliers to defend claims against conflicting tort laws of individual states.


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