Premises Description

Beech Aircraft Corporation, founded 1932 at Wichita KS by Walter and Olive Ann Beech, operated the historic Wichita “Plant I” and later “Plant II” (East Central Avenue / Beech Field) general-aviation manufacturing complex — one of the three great Wichita aircraft plants alongside Cessna and Boeing/Stearman. Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that the Beech Aircraft Wichita KS plants and associated Salina KS and Boulder CO facilities were built and maintained with asbestos-containing thermal insulation, gaskets, packing, brake friction, and sprayed structural fireproofing.

Beech’s product line spanned the Model 17 Staggerwing biplane; the WWII-workhorse Model 18 (C-45 Expeditor USAAF cargo, AT-11 Kansan bombardier trainer, SNB Navy trainer — over 9,000 built); the Beechcraft Bonanza (V-tail Model 35, then Model 33/36) — the longest continuously produced aircraft in history; the Baron twin (Model 55/58); the Twin Bonanza and Queen Air; the King Air turboprop family (Model 90/100/200/300/350 — the best-selling business turboprop ever); the T-34 Mentor / T-34C Turbo Mentor military primary trainer; and the T-6A / T-6B Texan II JPATS trainer. Alleged asbestos-containing materials at Beech Aircraft plants included pipe covering and block insulation on plant steam and process piping; heat-treat furnace insulation and refractory linings in aluminum-airframe heat-treatment; sprayed fireproofing on structural steel and hangar framing; gaskets and packing in plant utility systems; brake friction linings on overhead cranes, tugs, and industrial vehicles; and asbestos millboard, cloth, and rope used in engine-installation and firewall fabrication on radial, opposed-piston, and turboprop-engine aircraft.

Product Description

Plaintiffs alleged that Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron, King Air, Model 18 (C-45/AT-11/SNB), and T-34 Mentor wheel brake friction pads, engine gaskets, and firewall thermal insulation contained chrysotile asbestos and released respirable fiber during general-aviation A&P mechanic maintenance and military depot overhaul.

Workers Exposed

Aircraft assemblers, sheet-metal workers, machinists, pipefitters, insulators, electricians, millwrights, heat-treat operators, and maintenance workers at Beech Aircraft Wichita KS plants allegedly worked in and around asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing. General-aviation A&P mechanics, corporate flight-department mechanics, Navy and Air Force trainer-squadron mechanics, and airline turboprop mechanics who serviced Beech aircraft allegedly disturbed asbestos brake friction and engine gaskets during inspections and overhaul.

If You Worked at Beech Aircraft Wichita KS or Serviced Beechcraft Aircraft

If you or a family member worked at a Beech Aircraft plant or serviced Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron, King Air, Model 18, or T-34 aircraft and later developed mesothelioma or lung cancer, you may have claims against Beech Aircraft successors and other alleged asbestos defendants.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956