Griggs v. Allegheny County, 369 U.S. 84 (1962)

Griggs v. Allegheny County


No. 81


Argued January 16, 1962
Decided March 5, 1962
369 U.S. 84

CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Syllabus

Allegheny County owns and maintains the Greater Pittsburgh Airport at a site it acquired to provide airport facilities under the Federal Airport Act. In one approach zone or path of glide, the pattern of flight established by the Civil Aeronautics Administrator for aircraft landing at and departing from the Airport requires aircraft to fly regularly and frequently at very low altitudes over petitioner’s residential property. The resulting noise, vibrations and danger forced petitioner and his family to move from their home.

Held: the County has taken an air easement over petitioner’s property for which it must pay just compensation as required by the Fourteenth Amendment. Pp. 84-90.

402 Pa. 411, 168 A.2d 123, reversed.