This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

An F-106B crashed, and Captain Richard Hoover filed damages against the various entities responsible for the design and manufacture of the plane's ejection equipment. During pretrial, two of the Ds involved sought discovery of all Air Force investigative reports pertaining to the accident. The Air Force released its records of the collateral investigation but only certain factual portions of the safety investigation but refused to release confidential portions of the safety investigation. The confidential statements were held to be privileged. The Court of appeals reversed.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.