RESPONDENT:Citizens for the Abatement of Aircraft Noise, Inc.
LOCATION:Residence of Ellis Gregory
DOCKET NO.: 90-906
DECIDED BY: Rehnquist Court (1990-1991)
LOWER COURT: United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
CITATION: 501 US 252 (1991)
ARGUED: Apr 16, 1991
DECIDED: Jun 17, 1991
ADVOCATES:
David L. Shapiro – on behalf of Respondent United States, supporting the Petitioners
Patti A. Goldman – on behalf of the Respondents
William T. Coleman, Jr. – on behalf of the Petitioners
Facts of the case
In this case study, citizens living near the airport complained of constant noise. Earlier this airport was not overloaded with flights and created much less noise. However, by the decision of the local authorities, some of the flights were distributed between two city airports. In turn, citizens living near it argued that this decision was unconstitutional. Representatives of the nearby district complained that the constant noise and vibrations created by aircraft during take-off and landing have a serious negative psychological effect on residents of nearby areas. According to the law, the noise level during the operation of the aircraft must not exceed the maximum permissible level, which is established by aviation regulations.