Aviation

During a particularly heavy storm, rainwater gathered in a puddle on the roof of an airport hangar. Due to a clogged drain, the water level rose higher than the installed protective flashing and entered the drywall behind a storage shelf. Over time, mold developed resulting in a costly clean-up and there was potential for BI claims from independent contractor workers providing services at the airport.

During a routine tank tightness test at an airport hangar, it was discovered that some fuel leaked from an underground storage tank. It was determined that the seal in a coupling device that connected the tank to the piping had failed, and gasoline was leaking out of the pipe connection. Upon inspection, it was found that the gasoline had leaked into the soil. The airport was held liable for the clean-up costs resulting from the underground storage tank.

Following a flight, an aircraft was moved into the hangar for the evening. Shortly after, the plane caught fire due to an electrical shortage. In order to put out the fire, the airport’s ARFF crew had to use large quantities of firefighting foam. The chemicals in the firefighting foam leaked into the groundwater through drainage systems, causing regulatory parties to investigate and require that environmental testing be performed. The airport was held liable for testing and clean-up costs.