In early September 2025, a proposed class action was filed on behalf of owners and lessees of the Cessna Citation CJ4 aircraft, alleging that these planes suffer from a latent, systemic corrosion defect. The suit claims that structural components—particularly around windshield and cockpit window frames—are subject to “moisture incursion,” which leads to corrosion even where owners have followed all recommended maintenance protocols. The plaintiffs assert that Textron (via its Cessna line) has failed to disclose the defect, forced owners to bear high repair costs (often hundreds of thousands of dollars), and has not accepted responsibility for correcting the problem. The suit seeks class certification, injunctive relief, and recovery of costs and damages.
(1) Court & Jurisdiction
– The complaint was filed on September 2, 2025 in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas(Kansas City Division).
– The defendant is named Textron Aviation, Inc. (doing business, among other things, as Cessna).
– The plaintiffs allege a nationwide class (or other class definitions) of CJ4 owners and lessees. (Lieff Cabraser)
(2) Class Action Law Firms Representing the Plaintiffs
The plaintiffs’ side is being led by a coalition of product-defect and aviation/safety–oriented class action firms:
– Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP (lead)
– Epps, Holloway, Deloach & Hoipkemier, LLC
– CohenMalad LLP
– Wagstaff & Cartmell, LLP
– Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
These firms jointly announced the filing, citing preliminary expert findings that the corrosion is likely due to a design or manufacturing defect (rather than operator misuse) and that the repair costs are extraordinary.
