Focus On The Pitchers Bond With His Son

Melanie Lidle, the widow of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, testified  late last week in the wrongful death trial stemming from her husband's accident in an SR20 in New York City.

Lidle's airplane impacted the side of a building while executing a turn over the Hudson River in October, 2006, fatally injuring Lidle and his instructor. The NTSB found that pilot error was the cause of the accident. However, Lidle's estate is pursuing a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Cirrus, saying the plane's controls "locked up," causing it to crash.

Media sources including the Associated Press and the New York Daily News indicate that Melanie Lidle told the jury about the pitcher's relationship with his son, who is now 10. She said Christopher Lidle still has his father's jersey hanging in his bedroom, and talks about him daily. She recounted returning from a trip to Los Angeles and  being met at the airport by her sister and brother-in-law, who told her that Lidle had been fatally injured in the crash.

SR20 File Image

Stephanie Stanger, the widow of flight instructor Tyler Stanger, also testified late last week.

The testimony of the two widows wrapped up the plaintiff's testimony in the case, and Cirrus is expected to mount its defense this week in Manhattan Federal Court.

FMI: www.nysd.uscourts.gov, www.cirrusaircraft.com