Document: 431 U.S. 666 97 S.Ct. 2054 52 L.Ed.2d 665 STENCEL AERO ENGINEERING CORPORATION, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 76-321. Argued March 22, 1977. Decided June 9, Rehearing Denied Oct. 3, See 434 882, 98 250. Syllabus A National Guard officer was permanently injured when the ejection system of his fighter aircraft malfunctioned during a midair emergency. Although he awarded lifetime pension under Veterans' Benefits Act for injury, brought damages suit against, inter alia, United States and petitioner, which had manufactured pursuant to Government specifications with components furnished by Government. The serviceman claimed that as result defendants' individual joint negligence. Petitioner cross-claimed against States, alleging any malfunction in due faulty components. District Court granted Government's motions summary judgment dismissal petitioner's cross-claim, on ground Feres v. 340 135, 71 153, 95 L.Ed. 152 (wherein it held an on-duty because officials' negligence may not recover Federal Tort Claims Act), barred both officer's claim claim. Held: Petitioner's third-party indemnity cannot be maintained. supra. right third party action recognized Yellow Cab Co., 543, 399, 523, is limited rationale where serviceman. Pp. 669-674. (a) relationship between its suppliers ordnance "distinctively federal character" members Armed Forces, hence, if makes no sense permit fortuity situs alleged affect liability service-connected injuries, equally little such contractor identical injury. P. 672. (b) provides upper limit would circumvent limitation. 672-673. (c) Where case concerns injury while duty, adverse effect upon military discipline whether directly or party, since either issue degree agents' fault, any, serviceman's safety, trial involve second-guessing orders. 673. 8th Cir., 536 F.2d 765, affirmed. Thomas J. Whalen, New York City, petitioner. S. Martin, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion Court. 1 We certiorari this decide liable Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2674, indemnify paid member Forces course service. 2 (1) 3 On 1973, Captain John Donham egress life-support F-100 emergency.1 Petitioner, Stencel Aero Engineering Corp., of, use certain provided by, States.2 Pursuant 38 321 et seq., made applicable Guardsmen 32 318, approximately $1,500 per month. He nonetheless Eastern Missouri claiming $2,500,000. Named defendants, were Stencel. emergency eject "the carelessness defendants individually jointly." 4 then indemnity, charging used specifications, requirements, other persons contract States. cross-claim further charged malfunctioning been exclusive custody control time manufacture. therefore that, insofar negligent at all, passive, active. Accordingly prayed sums required pay Donham.3 5 moved Donham, contending could injuries sustained incident (1950). Stencel's asserting also bars monies personnel who from 6 motions, holding protected party.4 Both claims dismissed lack subject-matter jurisdiction. appealed ruling Appeals Eighth Circuit5 court 765. certiorari.6 429 958, 380, 50 325. 7 (2) 8 In supra, officials Act. During same Term, involving private parties, permits impleading defendant, theory contribution, original defendant wholly partially responsible plaintiff's L.Ed 523 (1951). we must resolve tension Services brings tort latter seeks primarily injuries. 9 argues "(t)he waives immunity sweeping language." 547, 402. contends unless falls within one express exceptions should give congressional policy underlying hold state-law principles extent similarly situated individual. However, here come into conflict well established doctrine It necessary, therefore, examine determine what extent, allowance purposes there construed 10 executrix killed barracks sleeping caught fire. plaintiff quartering decedent knew unsafe defective heating plant.7 While recognizing broad purpose passing noted sovereign unlike individuals. U.S., 141-142, 156-157. There thus least surface anomaly applying mandate shall . manner like circumstances ." 2674. Noting "to waive causes visit novel unprecedented liabilities," 142, S.Ct., 157, concluded: 11 "(T)he servicemen arise out are activity Without exception, has governed exclusively law. do think Congress, drafting created new cause dependent local law death impute Congress radical departure absence command." Id., 146, 159. 12 reaching conclusion, considered two factors: First, " 'distinctively character,' id., 143, 158, citing Standard Oil 332 301, 67 1604, 91 2067 (1947); make have soldier happened stationed Second, establishes, substitute liability, statutory "no fault" compensation scheme generous pensions servicemen, without regard attributable factor explicated Brown, 348 110, 112, 75 141, 99 139 (1954), namely, peculiar special superiors, effects maintenance suits discipline, extreme results might obtain allowed orders given acts committed duty consider impact these factors where, here, himself, but seeking 13 Clearly, first operates equal force case. certainly less than soldiers. perform unique, nationwide function protecting security To end authorities frequently move large numbers men, quantities equipment, continent other, beyond. Significant risk accidents attend vast undertaking. If, Feres, sustains 14 second somewhat more difficult apply. existence (from benefited will continue benefit, 667-668) comfort it. contended although fair prohibit direct recovery they assured regardless fault petitioner claimant serviceman, alternative remedy. 15 serves dual purpose: only swift, efficient remedy clothes "protective mantle Act's limitation-of-liability provisions." Cooper Stevedoring Co. Kopke, Inc., 417 106, 115, 94 2174, 2179, 40 694 (1974). Given exposure Government, great variability potentially law, see 142-143, limitation, thereby frustrating essential features As stated different context concerning Act: "To (petitioner) proceed judicially admit back door legislatively turned away front door. believe (Federal Claims) result." Laird Nelms, 406 797, 802, 92 1899, 1902, 499 (1972). 16 (3) Turning factor, seems quite clear party. litigation take virtually form case, part agents safety. would, orders, often require testify each other's decisions actions. This too, weighs permitting 17 (4, 5) conclude, unavailable essentially reasons Feres. largely type well; Cab, Since based commercial contract, basis unfairness result.8 18 Accordingly, 19 Affirmed. 20 MARSHALL, whom BRENNAN joins, dissenting. 21 appears premised active (1950), displaces plain language I agree narrow, exception waiver contained extended category active-duty incurred duty. 22 Even strictly limited, extension cover justified. Court's explanation simply does differentiate corporation similar allow. See, e. g., 23 relied federal" "its ordnance." Ante, true, course, performs "a function," ibid., so Bureau Census, Immigration Naturalization Service, many agencies These agencies, military, equipment all parts country. Nevertheless, rights depend place act omission occurred," 1346(b), presumably agrees provision governs nonmilitary agencies. Nothing explains why concludes those differs purveyors equipment. 24 payments absolute Yet, nothing suggests designed burden fully compensating fault. Indeed, even contain explicit declaration comparable program civilian employees limitation liability. 8116 (c).* Yet exclusivity unrelated parties," Weyerhaeuser 372 597, 601, 83 926, 929, (1963), lower courts despite provision. Travelers Ins. 493 881 (CA3 1974). fails explain forecloses parties cases clause bar actions employee works 25 Finally, find threat discipline. concern disruption superiors" hale superiors court. (1954). That problem suit. 26 majority's argument sues import proves far too much. Had pilot caused plunge civilian's house, unquestionably sue might, done hypothetical before us, chance "involve actions." basis, concluding nature evidence produced trial. conclusion here. 27 respectfully dissent. assigned training 131st Tactical Fighter Group, Air Guard. contractual contracted North American Rockwell, prime contractor, provide F-100's system. Missouri. Feinstein Edward Livingston & Sons, 457 S.W.2d 789, 792-793 (Mo.1970); Kansas City Southern R. Payway Feed Mills, 338 (Mo.1960). FTCA, applicable, fixes reference (wrongful) occurred." 1346(b). Still pending Donham's Mills Manufacturing another tortfeasor. properly certified final Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 54(b), making immediate appeal appropriate. Circuits uniform their treatment issue. view taken Circuit adopted Ninth Lines, Inc. Wiener, 335 379, 404, cert. dismissed, 379 951, 85 452, 549 (1964), recently reaffirmed Adams General Dynamics 535 489, 491 (1976), pending, 76-220. Positions appear inconsistent Tenth Barr Brezina Constr. 464 1141, 1143-1144 (1972), denied, 409 1125, 93 937, 35 256 (1973), Fifth Certain Underwriters Lloyd's 511 159, 163 (1975). additional army officials. Jefferson O.T.1950, 29, Griggs, 31. unnecessary, present purposes, detail fact situations involved cases. decided 1964, n. 6, doubt sufficient notice account negotiating * "The instrumentality thereof subchapter respect instead employee, legal representative, spouse, dependents, next kin, person otherwise entitled judicial proceeding, civil action, admiralty, administrative proceeding workmen's statute statute.

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