On appeal, the court ruled that although Janet Harduvel had presented substantial evidence of design defect in the F-16, General Dynamics was protected from liability as a government contractor. Accordingly, the $3.1 million damage award was overturned. Ted Harduvel's name remains clear. To date, more than 140 F-16s have crashed from a variety of causes. More than 40 pilots have died. The Air Force maintains that the F-16 is "the safest single engine fighter of all time". Janet Harduvel is continuing her legal battle against General Dynamics.