Do you think Raymond Orteig was liable for the injuries incurred by those who participated? Do you think this issue would have a different outcome today?

Raymond Orteig, sponsor of the Orteig Prize, worried that his challenge was luring men to their deaths. Do you think he was liable for the injuries incurred by those who participated? Do you think this issue would have a different outcome today?

Absolutely not. No one had to enter his challenge. He did not provide the planes or the mechanics to service them. These guys were chasing prize money in a field practically non-regulated. Who knew what needed to be done to these planes, they were themselves in many ways experimental. Today, it is different--we know the technology and there are all kinds of regulations and checks along the way. Today, there is no excuse for this Boeing fiasco that is happening.

Orteig was only offering a monetary prize for anyone who could achieve what he thought was achievable. Yes, he did talk with the press and offered his condolences, but each pilot took the challenge at his own risk. Today, the lawyers would be all over this, with lawsuits. Or with waivers galore before the pilot ever left the ground. It all had to start somewhere and Orteig was trying to make it happen.

No and yes. Orteig was offering a prize for a contest. No one was forced to enter it. Today there are so many rules and regulations to everything we do that it would never have taken place.

No, he wasn’t responsible. There just wasn’t enough known at that time about flying and the dangers associated with it. Even today we’re still discovering (after the fact, unfortunately) what can cause a plane to crash.

No. The people participating knew the risks and joined anyway.

No. The people that participated know what risks they were taking. It would be different today for countless people (not everyone) who love to sue someone and not take any responsibilities for their own actions.