Cirrus SR20 Cleared in 2006 Lidle/Stanger Accident

Duluth, MN - May 24, 2011) - After a four-week trial and and a short period of deliberation, a jury of 4 men and 2 women in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that Cirrus Design Corporation's SR20 aircraft did not cause the 2006 fatal accident that claimed the lives of New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and certified flight instructor Tyler Stanger.

"Our hearts are with the Lidle and Stanger families who are still grieving," said Bill King, Cirrus' Vice President of Business Administration. "We're gratified that the jury reached a decision that confirmed what the National Transportation Safety Board found and what we have always believed: the SR20 did not cause this accident. We very much appreciate the hard work of the jury and the court in this matter."

King noted that the operational performance and safety systems of the SR-series aircraft have made the aircraft the best-selling four-seat aircraft for almost a decade. There are nearly 5,000 SR-series aircraft currently in operation around the world, a global fleet that has logged nearly 5 million flight hours to date.

"Cirrus Aircraft was founded on the principles of designing a new generation of General Aviation aircraft that incorporate the latest technology and safety features available," said Brent Wouters, President and CEO of Cirrus Aircraft. "Our aircraft are designed with safety features that no one else in general aviation incorporates. Furthermore we are very proud of our team of dedicated men and women who are responsible for building the safest aircraft of its kind in the world."