LUCIA V. TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS, 173 F.SUPP.2D 1253 (S.D. ALA., JUN 22, 2001) (NO. CIV. 99-468-RV-S)

Owner of general-aviation aircraft brought state-court class action against manufacturer of crankshafts used in owner's planes' engines, asserting state- law claims for misrepresentation, negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty, and seeking injunctive relief and damages. Manufacturer removed action on both federal question and diversity grounds. On motion to remand, the District Court, Vollmer, Senior District Judge, held that: (1) potential attorney fee award from common fund could not satisfy amount-in-controversy minimum; (2) proper measure of amount in controversy in claim for injunctive relief was monetary value of services that would be rendered by manufacturer; (3) value of injunctive relief to all class members could not be aggregated to reach jurisdictional amount; (4) owner's claims were not field-preempted by Federal Aviation Act; and (5) action was not rendered removable by mere fact that requested relief allegedly conflicted with Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airworthiness Directive. Motion granted.