Robert L Ditchey
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Fax: 310-448-8886
Robert Ditchey is an experienced Expert Witness in aviation litigation, having served as an expert witness for more than forty-five different law firms and more than fifty different cases. His areas of expertise as an witness cover a wide area, including maintenance, aircraft accident analysis, aircraft design, pilot issues, Federal airline regulations and cabin crew activities.
Mr Ditchey is broadly and highly experienced. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis and was a Navy pilot who flew actively in the US Navy for more than 14 years. An engineer, he holds two advanced degrees in aeronautical engineering. He was a senior airline executive at four different major US Airlines, holding positions in maintenance and flight operations. He has consulted for airlines, insurance companies, banks and aviation parts manufacturers. And, he is one of the original founders of America West Airlines, which through mergers and acquisitions has become American Airlines, America's largest airline.
Mr. Ditchey has testified in three different court trials in District Courts in California and he has been deposed numerous times in aviation litigation.
Mr. Ditchey is frequently quoted as an expert in the Los Angeles Times on aviation matters, and he has been interviewed as an expert on CNN, Fox News, NBC, CBS, NPR, and BBC. His published opinions on aviation topics have appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
- Aviation
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: BS, United States Naval Academy;
MS, Aeronautical Engineering, US Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey CA;
Aeronautical Engineer, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Awarded associate membership in the Society of Sigma Xi for excellence in engineering research.
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Faculty member, Embry Riddle University Extended Campus;
Television appearances on CNN, NBC, and CBS;
Radio interviews, BBC, NPR, and local radio stations. - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Approximately sixteen.
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Airline maintenance records, programs, and procedures; pilot error; flight attendant performance; airline mechanic negligence and error; general aviation maintenance error; airline asbestos litigation; pilot wrongful termination; aircraft design defect.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Approximately half.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: Approximately half.
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: Twice.
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: December 2004.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: Twice.
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: Twice.
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: Approximately ten.
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting, reports, site inspections.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: 200
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: 200
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: 200, minimum four hours.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: 200, minimum four hours.
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Out-of-pocket expenses, travel expenses, travel time.
References upon request.