Heath v. Swift Wings, Inc.
Facts:
Heath, his wife and son, and Smathers died when a plane piloted by Heath crashed. Heath inspected the plane before takeoff and it ran fine, besides taking a bit longer than usual to take off and gain altitude. Testimony stated that Heath should have used the flaps in takeoff and that a reasonably prudent pilot would have immediately landed if he had trouble gaining altitude, which would have led to all surviving.
Procedural History:
Jury found for the defendant when instructed to base it off what a "ordinary prudent pilot having the same training and experience as Fred Heath, would have used in the same circumstances."
Issue:
What is the standard of care for a pilot?
Rule:
A professional is held to the objective minimum standard of care applicable to all of that profession.
Reasoning:
A reasonable person standard should be objective. One's training or lack thereof does not lower the minimum requirements.
Holding:
A pilot is held to the objective minimum standard of care applicable to all pilots.
Takeaway:
A professional is held to the objective minimum standard of care applicable to all of that profession.