Opinion ID: 1146481
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Regarding Metallurgical Defect

Text: From what we have said under the heading of Issues Involved, it will be seen we are primarily concerned with the matter of magneto settings. However, at the trial, the plaintiff and cross-complainant spent much time with witnesses testifying as experts, in an effort to prove Piston No. 3 was manufactured with a metallurgical defect and weakness. We think this testimony deserves some attention before we discuss the matter of magneto settings. Let us begin by pointing out, the portion of the piston where the defect is thought by plaintiff's witnesses to have been was burned away and is now gone. Hence, no witness was able to show the result of any test on the piston itself which showed a manufacturing defect. By contrast, in the case of Ford Motor Company v. Arguello, Wyo., 382 P.2d 886, rivets which were alleged to have been defective had popped out of the wheel of which they were a part and were preserved inside the tire. These rivets were then available for metallurgical tests, and the result of such tests were testified to. In the case at hand, counsel for appellant argue that no competent expert testimony was introduced by claimants in their attempt to show a manufacturing defect. They point us to many pages in the record where witnesses for the claimants testified to possibilities and probabilities and a history of things that might have happened, all over objections by the defendant. Repeatedly, during the course of trial, testimony of this nature was allowed by the court with the understanding it would be connected up. There was in many instances, however, a failure to connect. Typical of the expert testimony offered on behalf of claimants is the testimony of Dr. Donald T. Klodt, an associate professor of metallurgical engineering at Colorado School of Mines. The following are excerpts from his testimony: Q Now, you're not able to say exactly what the defect was, if any, are you? A No, sir.       Q Is it correct, Dr. Klodt, that your whole premise begins with the assumption that the third ring land failed due to a defect? A Yes, sir. Q However, you do feel that there are possibly other explanations for this failure? A There are other possible explanations.       Q You indicated that you had observed tool marks, as you refer to them. A No, I didn't. Q Oh, I misunderstood you. Did you find any tool marks in the ring grooves? A The piston is so battered up, I wouldn't attempt to identify any marks. Q I'm just asking you if you did, sir? A No, sir.       Q Now, you said in response to counsel's questioning that the defects are not visible. Now, could you tell the jury why? A The area has been obliterated, the failed area. There is metal missing, there is a hole through the piston.       Q In response to counsel's question, you said you couldn't be totally positive as to exactly what the defect was. Could you tell me why? A If I understand your question correctly, the area of failure is missing, the surface there is missing.       Q Now, these other defects that you say are all possibilities or probabilities, you're not saying under oath here that any one of them occurred? A No, sir. These are possibilities. Mr. Howard Davis, an engineer from the University of Wyoming, also testified as an expert. He spoke of possible cracks in the piston but admitted he found none. He was referred to Dr. Klodt's statement about not being able to say what the defect was, if any, and was asked if he knew what the defect was, if any. He answered: No, I don't know exactly, no. From the record as a whole, we are convinced Joly and Darr failed to sustain the burden of proof that there was a manufacturing defect in Piston 3  except for the possible argument of counsel for Joly that the piston, when subjected to destructive pre-ignition, failed at a place which would not appear to be the weakest part of a normal piston. This brings us to a consideration of whether, under the evidence in this case, Continental can be held liable for whatever caused the destruction of Piston 3.