John Danforth: “I am pleased to support S. 1458, the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1993. This legislation will help to lift the…”

“I am pleased to support S. 1458, the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1993. This legislation will help to lift the weight of product liability lawsuits that has almost crushed our light aircraft manufacturing industry. I commend Senator Kassebaum for her leadership on this issue, which culminates with today's vote on this legislation. The general aviation industry has experienced a dramatic decline in production since 1978. In that year, the industry produced 18,000 aircraft, of which 17,000 were piston-engine aircraft. Last year, the industry manufactured only 900 aircraft, including only 555 piston-engine aircraft. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association [GAMA], a major reason for the dramatic decline in the light aircraft industry is the application of the doctrine of strict liability in product liability cases arising out of aircraft accidents. GAMA statistics indicate that claim and defense costs for light aircraft airframe and component manufacturers have risen from $24 million in 1976 to $210 million in 1986. The three largest manufacturers of piston-engine aircraft are virtually out of that line of business. By 1986, Cessna, which has been the largest manufacturer of piston-engine models, had dropped completely out of that business. Last year, Beech manufactured only 18 percent of the piston aircraft they made in 1978, and Piper's production of piston aircraft has dropped to 2 percent of the 1978 level.”