Opinion ID: 865310
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether the factual determinations made by

Text: THE TRIAL COURT ARE MANIFESTLY WRONG. ¶17. Concerning this first issue, Triconex argues, inter alia, that the trial judge erroneously determined that Shaw took his speed readings off the auxiliary shaft, rather than directly off the turbine shaft, during the testing conducted on November 10, 1995. On the other hand, Greenwood argues that the evidence is not conclusive as to whether Shaw took his readings off the auxiliary shaft or directly off the turbine shaft. However, Greenwood argues that even if the trial judge did err, this issue is not controlling as to whether Triconex breached the contract. ¶18. After denying Triconex’s Motion to Amend the Findings of Fact, Judge Hines stated in his Order: 11 Upchurch and Triconex in their memorandum in support of the motion repeat from the transcript the following testimony of Jerry Shaw: Q. And where did you locate yourself with the strobe light? A. It’s a little compartment behind the accessory gear box. Between there and the turbine. Q. Was there anybody who told you to select that place? A. Well, I was – I don’t remember in – who particular. I suppose – Hamid, I suppose. They wanted to get on that shaft. Q. When you say “get on that shaft,” what are you referring to? A. It’s the shaft between the accessory gear box and the turbine. Q. So this would have been the actual turbine shaft that you were going to be shining the strobe light on.
Q. Or a portion. A. Right. That’s correct. Transcript 165:2-20 (emphasis added). The Court accepts this testimony and finds as a fact the speed measurement was taken from something attached to the shaft, but not the shaft itself. It is only logical that Hamid Niakian would tell Mr. Shaw to take the measurement there since that is where Triconex placed the speed sensor device. The Court rejects the testimony of Lane Richard regarding the placement of the strobe device because he was not present when the events occurred, and his testimony is therefore not as reliable as Mr. Shaw’s testimony. Likewise, the Court rejects the direct testimony of Bobby Bennett, Hamid Niakian, Edgar Alan Walters, because none of it was based upon eyewitness observation, but rather what each witness heard from someone else. The Court also rejects Triconex’s argument that Mr. Shaw did not know how to use the strobe device. Mr. Shaw demonstrated later that he knew how to use the strobe device. See Transcript 170. The argument presented by Upchurch and Triconex ignores a fundamental issue. Triconex designed the system using the speed of an auxiliary shaft to measure the speed of the main turbine shaft without adjusting for the fact that the shafts did not operate at the same speed. This failure occurred despite the fact that this variation in speed was detailed in the General Electric Company 12 manual which Triconex used in the design. This seems to the Court would be an elementary fact to an engineer. Triconex designed a system and allowed it to be installed and operated with such a fundamental flaw that its malfunction caused a catastrophic loss. Triconex cannot hide behind the fact that they failed to bring the proper equipment or sufficient personnel to the site. If Triconex had properly designed the system and brought the proper equipment and personnel to the site, the damage to the turbine would never have occurred. This constitutes a breach of their contractual obligations. Accordingly, Upchurch’s and Triconex’s motion is denied. ¶19. Triconex cites specific testimony in the transcript and record in an effort to prove that Judge Hines erred in his findings of fact. Triconex argues that the testimony shows, contrary to the trial judge’s findings, that Shaw took his readings directly off the turbine shaft rather than the auxiliary shaft. Triconex further argues that the evidence established that Shaw unforeseeably provided erroneous turbine speed readings on which everyone involved relied. Finally, Triconex argues that the testimony presented at trial demonstrated that Shaw was not competent to operate a Strobotac instrument. On the other hand, Greenwood presents portions of testimony that it claims support the trial judge’s findings. Even though this case is obviously fact-intensive, we will set out the facts as succinctly as possible, and quote only the testimony we deem critical to this discussion, so as to avoid endless quotations from the record. ¶20. With this being said, we quote here portions of the testimony of Lane Richard, the GE engineer: Q. Do you recall Dean Walters issuing a report to you saying that when he went to the plant, he and Jerry Shaw, he took his handheld digital tach 13 and Jerry Shaw took the Greenwood Utilities strobe and they both tested them against the boiler feed pump? A. Well, you know, actually, Jerry Shaw – I’ve never heard the name Jerry Shaw except in preparation for this. So he didn’t mention Jerry Shaw’s name, but he did mention he got with the guy with Greenwood that had used the strobotac. And it sounds familiar that they went to some piece of equipment in the plant and compared speed values. Q. And they got the same number. A. Seems like they did, yes, sir. Q. Which suggested whoever was operating that thing was operating it properly, correct? A. Yes, sir. Q. And then later on that day, they went out and they both sat down on the generator. A. Yes, sir, they did. Q. And Mr. Walters confirmed that he had a speed reading on the generator of 900, and he looked over and the Greenwood Utilities employee had a speed reading on the strobe of 900, or that was communicated to him. A. Yeah, that’s correct. And actually, it just so happened the speed ratio of that auxiliary gear shaft matches almost to the rpm the speed of the generator as well. So, again, Triconex’s readout was exactly what these guys were reading, except they were on the generator rotor. And at the time the Greenwood person, I think, made the comment to Dean, “See, right on the money.” And that’s when Dean said, “Wait a second, man. Right on the money, yeah, but there’s a gearbox between us and the turbine.” Q. But my point is, is that if the GE employee using the strobe is standing next to Dean Walters using the digital handheld tachometer and they’re getting the same number, that doesn’t suggest that the Greenwood Utilities employee was doing anything wrong in his use of the strobe, does it? A. That’s correct. (Emphasis added). ¶21. It is readily apparent from the record that Judge Hines, as the fact-finder in this bench trial, acted within his discretion in finding that Shaw must have placed his Strobotac on the auxiliary shaft. Judge Hines did not pull this idea out of a hat; Richard testified that the 14 speed of the auxiliary shaft, which has a 1:1.35 ratio, matched the overspeed. The turbine shaft has a 1:1 ratio. Judge Hines, as the factfinder, had the discretion to disregard as unreliable the testimony of witnesses who were not present during the testing. We likewise find that Judge Hines acted within his discretion in finding that Jerry Shaw was competent to use the Strobotac instrument and that he used it properly. In sum, after a meticulous review of the entire record, including the testimony of the witnesses, we are left with the inescapable conclusion that Judge Hines’s findings of fact are supported by substantial, credible and reasonable evidence; therefore, we will not disturb these findings on appeal, since they are not manifestly wrong or clearly erroneous. This issue is thus without merit.