Michael Danko - 2009 Consumer Attorney of the Year finalist

The crash landing of a private plane left David Michelberg with head injuries that prevent him from returning to his work as an electrical engineer or living independently. It took a civil suit to show a federal agency couldnt be relied on to uncover the true cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board ruled the planes engine came apart because an unlicensed mechanic had failed to tighten several nuts during routine engine work. That ruling exonerated the planes manufacturer, Teledyne Continental Motors. But the NTSBs investigation wasnt exactly independent. The board relied on Teledyne engineers to determine the cause of the engine failure. Michelbergs lawyer, Mike Danko, launched his own investigation that found a tiny amount of sealant in a spot on the engine where it didnt belong, as a result of Teledynes confusing manuals for engine overhauls. A Santa Clara Superior Court jury found the misplaced sealant caused the nuts to loosen and found Teledyne responsible for the crash because of the confusing manuals.

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