ÿWPC¸ 3›:u‹Åwª_Ä|¡;EËI‡1³t"mÙ?úfn®áŠùejÂ&ö (ú=´ “2w«™c+,è/­Å^H6oF ß ²\Î| aGN ’pK¬"`’a½û!J Ç nX þ)6ô]ÅØUqÙeg¬×â1›H,„"ºE„ÎàeŠqäOí:P¯‚ÙI(xÄØ¯Ür½VPÉÕBÅÚÕ%‚ÝÅaEe3:ÕJdiÎ ÈVˆ¹ô9üó~ƒåû5ÏÜMè;HHp0 ™Ælßï”$Ëû¹I[ïŸb]Oãù<¨Î YAólD™è#SÒ³ž9ä1ð e_W<>&¼(wjã÷®Jâí¼’LªbE¦ }i2ïž <â,wpT1Ô©0@‡å¸é“æ,V­b±’Ó'íh1œF%w!ŒéZL+‹OïP’jhp(Lê=‚»Nšé1\lNSÃ;¦‡ÒÝõÀQ/#ÑK\Ó®²‚÷â$Å(Ô—cÈ…GŽ[ 4ä¿›ð)C• oEÐÈhüõÞ}Ñ%øbŒ[‡ ”&ÛO%Kx±$2JÈs‘w»ß”éá IÓ½,Éßc¯—E–P¢âDË-Ö¤êÐO`Rn–â†J{2á&tÁÚäb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz z Æ‘ ÆW Æ Æã ã N©©©E««««««««««««««««««««««««b­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ 0ëµµµµ B   0¤½ D3a D-” 0KÁÁ AS Æ_ 0¤% 0DÉ A« ˜HP LaserJet 5/5M - Standard,,,,0»!xó(L (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular}×( èc¢ œ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5- ù-(|G2ñ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€÷¤»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôŸDò»»Ô d(|32$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€÷¤»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|32$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€÷¤»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ó »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ó »»»ÔÑ8€æ[XXdð»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàԇó ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼ó »îî´¿ #ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓFebruary€2000€SessionÐ X ÐÔ‡Xæ[X»¼ó ÔÌò òÔ#†¼ó »XXæ[ò#ÔLAURA€COFFEY,€òòet€al.óó€v.€CHEROKEE€AVIATION,€INC.òòóóÔ‡Xæ[X»¼ó Ôó óÐ  ` ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Knox€CountyÐ  h Ðà@@øøìàNo.€2„361„96€€€€€€Harold€Ô_ÔWimberlyÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ  X ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<×` AßÐ Ø(  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E1999„01037„COA„R3„CVÐ ×'  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¶` AßÐ ·  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€an€appeal€from€a€jury€verdict€finding€Cherokee€Aviation,€Inc.€not€liable€for€the€deaths€ofÐ ¶ ÐSteven€Coffey€and€Peggy€Ô_ÔCowanÔ_Ô€in€a€plane€crash.€€Laura€Coffey€and€Peter€Ô_ÔCowanÔ_Ô,€the€survivingÐ ¦ö Ðspouses€of€the€deceased,€moved€for€a€new€trial€on€the€basis€of€certain€testimony€which€wasÐ –æ Ðadmitted€or€denied€admission€by€the€Circuit€Court€during€trial.€€The€Circuit€Court€denied€theÐ †Ö Ðmotion€for€a€new€trial€and€this€appeal€ensued.€€We€affirm.€Ð vÆ ÐÔ#†¼ó »XXæ[s#ÔÔ‡Xæ[X»¼ó ÔÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmed€andÐ V¦ ÐRemandedó óÐ F– ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼ó »àXæ[#ÔÔ‡Xæ[X.¼ó ÔHouston€M.€Goddard,€P.J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franksóó€andÐ &v ÐòòD.€Michael€Swineyóó,€JJ.€joined.Ð f ÐÌRobert€J.€English,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Laura€S.€Coffey,€and€Rufus€Ô_ÔBeamerÔ_Ô,Ð öF ÐKnoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Peter€R.€Ô_ÔCowanÔ_ÔÐ æ6 ÐÌWilliam€A.€Simms€and€Chris€T.€Cain,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Cherokee€Aviation,Ð Æ  ÐInc.Ô#†¼ó »XXæ[è#ÔÔ‡Xæ[X»¼ó ÔÐ ¶!  ÐÓ¹ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼ó »XXæ[V #ÔÔ‡Xæ[X»¼ó ÔÐ –#æ" ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼ó »XXæ[Ë #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€Xæ[X»¼ó Ôà  àOn€July€13,€1995,€Steven€Lee€Coffey€was€the€pilot€of€a€Piper€aircraft€in€which€his€mother„in„Ð v%Æ $ Ðlaw,€Peggy€Smith€Ô_ÔCowanÔ_Ô,€was€the€passenger.€€They€departed€from€the€Knoxville€Downtown€IslandÐ f&¶!% ÐAirport€and€were€flying€to€Hilton€Head€Island€Airport.€€Before€they€reached€their€destination,€theÐ V'¦"& Ðplane€crashed€and€both€died.€€On€June€3,€1996,€the€surviving€spouses€of€the€deceased,€Laura€S.Ð F(–#' ÐCoffey€and€Peter€R.€Ô_ÔCowanÔ_Ô,€filed€a€complaint€against€Cherokee€Aviation,€Inc.€€Cherokee€performedÐ 6)†$( Ðan€annual€and€100€hour€inspection€on€the€subject€aircraft€and€represented€the€aircraft€to€be€inÐ &*v%) Ðairworthy€condition.€€The€Plaintiffs€alleged€that€Cherokee€was€negligent€in€performing€theÐ +f&* Ðinspections€of€the€aircraft€because€its€employees€failed€to€replace€the€flexible€fuel€lines€whichÐ ,V'+ Ðruptured€causing€an€in„flight€fire€and€the€subsequent€crash.€€Cherokee€alleged€there€was€no€in„flightÐ ö,F(, Ðfire€and€the€crash€occurred€due€to€pilot€error,€not€their€negligence.€€Ð æ-6)-ý Їà  àThe€first€trial€ended€in€a€mistrial€in€April€1998.€€The€second€trial€occurred€at€the€end€ofÐ ° ÐJanuary€through€early€February€1999€and€the€jury€returned€a€verdict€in€favor€of€Cherokee.€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àThe€Plaintiffs€filed€a€motion€for€new€trial,€which€the€trial€court€denied.€€The€Plaintiffs€raiseÐ €Ð Ðthe€following€issues:Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àI.€à0 ` àDid€the€Trial€Court€err€by€admitting€into€evidence€and€allowing€Defendant€to€readÐ P   Ðto€the€jury€the€report€and€opinion€of€National€Transportation€Safety€Board€(Ô_ÔNTSBÔ_Ô)Ð @  ÐInvestigator€Timothy€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ô?Ð0 €` (#` (# ÐÌà  àII.à0 ` àDid€the€Trial€Court€err€by€allowing€Defendantððs€second€medical€expert,€Dr.€Berry,Ð `  Ðto€read€to€the€jury€the€reports€of€Defendantððs€third€and€fourth€medical€experts€Drs.Ð P  ÐÔ_ÔCagleÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_Ô,€which€were€prepared€too€late€to€permit€discovery?Ðð@ ` (#` (# ÐÌà  àIII.à0 ` àDid€the€Trial€Court€err€by€excluding€from€the€jury€the€admission€of€Defendantððs€firstÐ Ð  Ðmedical€expert,€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô,€that€there€could€have€been€an€in„flight€fire?ÐÀ` (#` (# ÐÌà  àWe€find€that€the€Trial€Court€committed€no€error€and€affirm.Ð  ð ЀÌÓ  Óà  àThe€record€on€appeal€with€this€Court€is€incomplete€in€that€only€certain€witnessesððÐ €Ð Ðtestimonies€were€filed.€€An€entire€transcript€of€the€trial€below€was€not€filed.€€We€can€only€reviewÐ pÀ Ðwhat€is€part€of€the€record€on€appeal.€€Accordingly,€we€only€discuss€the€testimonies€relevant€to€theÐ `° Ðissues€raised€on€appeal€and€provided€in€this€record.€€Portions€of€witnessesðð€testimonies€includedÐ P  Ðin€the€record€and€relevant€to€this€appeal€are€those€of€Don€Ô_ÔLykinsÔ_Ô,€Dr.€Ô_ÔClelandÔ_Ô€Blake,€Dr.€JoeÐ @ ÐÔ_ÔWilkersonÔ_Ô,€Justin€Patterson,€Joshua€Ryan,€William€Newton,€Barbara€Newton,€J.€Reid€GarrisonÐ 0€ Ðand€Norman€J.€Ô_ÔAlvaresÔ_Ô.€€We€will€briefly€describe€their€testimonies.Ð  p ÐÌà  àJustin€Patterson€and€Joshua€Ryan€saw€Mr.€Coffeyððs€airplane€before€the€crash.€€Mr.Ð P ÐPatterson,€an€employee€of€the€Hilton€Head€Airport,€was€directing€a€corporate€plane€to€a€parkingÐ ð@ Ðspace€when€Mr.€Ryan,€a€co„worker,€notified€him€to€look€at€Mr.€Coffeyððs€airplane.€€The€planeÐ à0 Ðappeared€to€be€making€a€final€approach€to€runway€three,€but,€according€to€Mr.€Ryan,€the€planeÐ Ð  Ðwas€too€low.€€Then€the€plane€suddenly€turned€to€the€right€away€from€the€airport€and€disappearedÐ À! Ðfrom€their€view€below€some€trees.€€They€did€not€see€smoke€coming€from€the€plane€prior€to€itÐ °"  Ðdisappearing€from€their€view.€€They€saw€smoke€rising€above€the€trees€a€few€seconds€after€theÐ  #ð! Ðplane€disappeared€below€the€trees.€€J.€Reid€Garrison€was€piloting€a€plane€at€Hilton€Head€AirportÐ $à" Ðon€the€day€of€the€crash.€€He€heard€Mr.€Coffey€calmly€report€his€intention€of€a€long€finalÐ €%Ð # Ðapproach.€€He€never€saw€Mr.€Coffeyððs€plane,€but€he€saw€smoke€rising.€€€€€€Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà  àWilliam€and€Barbara€Newton€were€in€their€car€on€a€road€close€to€the€Hilton€Head€AirportÐ P( #& Ðon€the€day€of€the€crash.€€Suddenly,€they€heard€a€loud€noise€and€saw€a€wire€from€an€electric€poleÐ @)$' Ðin€front€of€them€on€the€road.€€Mr.€Newton€stopped€the€car€as€the€wire€was€popping€and€moving.€Ð 0*€%( ÐAs€they€were€discussing€what€caused€the€wire€to€fall,€they€saw€a€sheet€of€flames€cross€the€road.€Ð  +p&) ÐThe€fire€culminated€behind€trees€to€the€left€of€them€with€dark€smoke€rising.€€In€a€few€secondsÐ ,`'* Ðafter€the€fire€ended,€they€saw€the€tail€section€of€a€plane.€€Mr.€Newton€drove€to€a€nearby€fireÐ ° Ðstation€to€notify€the€proper€authorities€of€the€accident.€€€€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àDon€Ô_ÔLykinsÔ_Ô,€Plaintiffsðð€Aircraft€Accident€Reconstruction€Expert,€opined€that€an€in„flightÐ €Ð Ðfire€occurred€based€upon€witnessesðð€statements€and€his€investigation€of€the€wreckage.€€Dr.€JoeÐ pÀ ÐÔ_ÔWilkersonÔ_Ô,€Cherokeeððs€Aeronautical€Expert,€concluded€that€Mr.€Coffey€failed€to€perform€aÐ ` ° Ðsufficient€pre„flight€inspection€of€his€aircraft€by€draining€the€fuel€to€check€for€water€in€the€fuel.€Ð P   ÐDr.€Ô_ÔWilkersonÔ_Ô€opined€that€water€was€in€the€fuel€tank€when€Mr.€Coffey€switched€from€using€theÐ @  Ðright€fuel€tank€to€the€left€fuel€tank.€€The€water€was€injected€into€the€engine€and€caused€a€partialÐ 0 € Ðpower€loss€from€which€Mr.€Coffey€was€unable€to€recover.€€€€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àNorman€Ô_ÔAlvaresÔ_Ô,€Cherokeeððs€Fire€Expert,€concluded€that€there€was€no€in„flight€fire.€Ð P  ÐHis€investigation€showed€that€the€cockpit€of€the€plane€was€burned€post„crash.€€He€examinedÐ ð@  Ðvarious€parts€of€the€plane€and€determined€that€no€in„flight€fire€occurred€because€the€soot€patternsÐ à0  Ðappeared€to€be€post„crash€or€there€was€no€evidence€of€soot€or€fire€damage€to€certain€parts€whichÐ Ð  Ðwould€have€soot€or€fire€damage€if€an€in„flight€fire€occurred.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔClelandÔ_Ô€Blake,€PlaintiffsððÐ À ÐMedical€Expert,€determined€there€was€an€in„flight€fire€by€studying€slides€of€the€victimsðð€lungÐ ° Ðtissues,€toxicology€reports,€autopsy€reports€and€the€burned€areas€on€the€victimsðð€bodies.€€Dr.Ð  ð ÐBlake€agreed€that€it€was€accepted€standard€medical€practice€to€consult€with€other€doctors€who€areÐ à Ðspecialized€in€a€certain€area€of€medicine.€€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà@cc!ìàòòò òSTANDARD€OF€REVIEWó óóóˆÐ `° Ðà  àAn€appellate€courtððs€standard€of€review€for€a€jury€verdict€approved€by€a€trial€court€isÐ P  Ðdetermining€whether€there€is€any€material€evidence€to€support€the€verdict.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.Ð @ Ð13(d).€€The€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€further€explained€our€reviewing€process€as€follows:Ð 0€ ÐÌÒ°ÒÒ°Òà ` àIt€is€the€time€honored€rule€in€this€State€that€in€reviewing€a€judgment€basedÐ ` Ðupon€a€jury€verdict€the€appellate€courts€are€not€at€liberty€to€weigh€the€evidence€orÐ P Ðto€decide€where€the€preponderance€lies,€but€are€limited€to€determining€whetherÐ ð@ Ðthere€is€material€evidence€to€support€the€verdict;€and€in€determining€whether€thereÐ à0 Ðis€material€evidence€to€support€the€verdict,€the€appellate€court€is€required€to€takeÐ Ð  Ðthe€strongest€legitimate€view€of€all€the€evidence€in€favor€of€the€verdict,€to€assumeÐ À! Ðthe€truth€of€all€that€tends€to€support€it,€allowing€all€reasonable€inferences€toÐ °"  Ðsustain€the€verdict,€and€to€discard€all€to€the€contrary.€€Having€thus€examined€theÐ  #ð! Ðrecord,€if€there€be€any€material€evidence€to€support€the€verdict,€it€must€beÐ $à" Ðaffirmed;€if€it€were€otherwise,€the€parties€would€be€deprived€of€their€constitutionalÐ €%Ð # Ðright€to€trial€by€jury.Ð p&À!$ ÐÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÌòòÔ_ÔCrabtreeÔ_Ô€Masonry€Co.€v.€C€&€R€Constr.,€Inc.óó,€575€S.W.2d€5€(Tenn.€1978)Ð P( #& ÐÌà  àRegarding€evidentiary€issues,€the€trial€court€possesses€wide€discretion€in€determining€theÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âadmissibility€of€evidence.€€We€review€the€trial€courtððs€decision€under€an€abuse€of€discretionÐ  +p&) Ðstandard.€€òòOtis€v.€Cambridge€Mut.€Fire€Ins.€Co.óó,€850€S.W.2d€439,€442€(Tenn.1992);€Ó °X°œXÓòòHunter€v.Ð ° ÐBurkeóó,€958€S.W.2d€751,€755€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€à p àÐ  ð Ðâ âÌà@®®ìàòòALLOWING€TIMOTHY€Ô_ÔMONVILLEÔ_ÔððS€DEPOSITION€TO€BE€READóóˆÐ €Ð Ðà  àTimothy€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ô€was€the€National€Transportation€and€Safety€Board€Investigator€whoÐ pÀ Ðinvestigated€the€airplane€crash€involved€in€this€litigation.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ô€prepared€an€accidentÐ ` ° Ðreport€as€part€of€his€investigation.€€During€his€deposition,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ô€referred€to€and€quotedÐ P   Ðfrom€his€accident€report€and€the€accident€report€was€filed€as€an€exhibit€to€his€deposition.€Ð @  ÐPortions€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€deposition€were€read€to€the€jury€during€the€trial.€€The€PlaintiffsÐ 0 € Ðobjected€to€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€deposition€being€read€to€the€jury€and€specifically€objected€to€a€certainÐ  p  Ðsentence€from€the€report€and€deposition€which€was€read€to€the€jury.€€The€sentence€read€asÐ `  Ðfollows:€ð ðExamination€of€the€engine€compartment€area€revealed€no€evidence€of€an€in„flight€fire.ððÐ P  ÐÌà  àThere€are€federal€rules€governing€the€allowance€of€and€scope€of€an€Ô_ÔNTSBÔ_Ô€employeeððsÐ à0  Ðtestimony.€€òòSeeóó€49€Code€of€Federal€Regulations€ðð€835.1„.11€(2000).€€When€an€employee€testifies,Ð Ð  Ðhe€is€allowed€to€use€a€copy€of€the€factual€accident€report€he€prepared€as€a€testimonial€aid.€€òòSeeóó€Ð À Ð49€Ô_ÔC.F.R.Ô_Ô€ðð€835.4(a)€(2000).€€While€testifying,€the€employee€may€refer€to€and€cite€from€theÐ ° Ðfactual€accident€report.€€òòSeeóó€€49€Ô_ÔC.F.R.Ô_Ô€ðð€835.4(a)€(2000).€€Regarding€the€admissibility€of€theÐ  ð Ðfactual€accident€report,€ð ð[Ô_Ôt]heÔ_Ô€Board€does€not€object€to,€and€there€is€no€statutory€bar€to,€admissionÐ à Ðin€litigation€of€factual€accident€reports.ðð€€49€Ô_ÔC.F.R.Ô_Ô€ðð€835.2€(2000).€€However,€the€employee€isÐ €Ð Ðexpressly€forbidden€from€using€the€Boardððs€accident€report€for€any€purpose€during€his€testimony.€Ð pÀ ÐòòSeeóó€€49€Ô_ÔC.F.R.Ô_Ô€ðð€835.4(b)€(2000).€€The€Boardððs€accident€report€contains€the€BoardððsÐ `° Ðdetermination€of€the€probable€cause€of€an€accident,€but€the€factual€accident€report€contains€theÐ P  Ðresults€of€the€investigation€by€the€Boardððs€investigator.€€òòSeeóó€€49€Ô_ÔC.F.R.Ô_Ô€ðð€835.2€(2000).€€TheÐ @ ÐBoardððs€accident€report,€containing€the€probable€cause€of€an€accident,€cannot€be€used€in€litigationÐ 0€ Ðfor€any€purpose€because€of€ð ðCongressðð€ððstrong€*€*€*€desire€to€keep€the€Board€free€of€theÐ  p Ðentanglement€of€such€suitsðð.€.€.€and€.€.€.to€ensure€that€the€Board€does€not€exert€an€undue€influenceÐ ` Ðon€litigation.ðð€€49€Ô_ÔC.F.R.Ô_Ô€ðð€835.3€(2000)€(citation€omitted).Ð P ÐÌà  àIn€addition€to€the€federal€rules€governing€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€testimony,€the€Tennessee€RulesÐ à0 Ðof€Evidence€apply.€€The€Plaintiffs€objected€to€the€reading€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€testimony,€whichÐ Ð  Ðincluded€direct€quotes€from€his€accident€report,€as€violating€the€hearsay€rule.€€Specifically,€theÐ À! ÐPlaintiffs€argue€that€the€report€was€inadmissible€because€it€did€not€fall€within€the€hearsayÐ °"  Ðexception€for€public€records€and€reports,€Tenn.€R.€Ô_ÔEvidÔ_Ô.€803(8).€€It€appears€from€the€record€thatÐ  #ð! Ðthe€report€itself€was€not€entered€into€evidence€at€trial.€€The€report€was€filed€as€an€exhibit€to€Mr.Ð $à" ÐÔ_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€deposition,€but€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€deposition€was€not€entered€into€evidence€in€itsÐ €%Ð # Ðentirety.€€In€reality,€portions€of€the€report€were€admitted€into€evidence€through€the€reading€ofÐ p&À!$ Ðportions€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€deposition.Ð `'°"% ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€report€contained€sections€for€History€of€Flight,€Wreckage,€ImpactÐ @)$' ÐInformation,€Medical€and€Pathological€Information,€Fire€and€Additional€Data.€€In€his€depositionÐ 0*€%( Ðand€report,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ô€described€the€crash€site€and€the€plane€wreckage.€€He€described€differentÐ  +p&) Ðtests€he€performed€on€the€plane€as€part€of€the€investigation.€€Included€within€his€report€was€theÐ ,`'* Ðsubstance€of€interviews€with€persons€who€saw€the€plane€before€it€crashed.€€Nathan€TrentÐ ° Ðobserved€Mr.€Coffey€performing€a€Ô_ÔpreflightÔ_Ô€inspection€of€the€airplane.€€Sandra€Cole€saw€theÐ  ð Ðairplane€clear€trees,€descend€and€collide€with€power€lines.€€Ms.€Cole€observed€white/gray€smokeÐ à Ðfrom€the€left€wing€of€the€airplane€after€collision€with€the€power€lines.€€After€his€investigation,Ð €Ð ÐMr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ô€concluded€that€the€airplane€first€made€contact€with€80„foot€tall€trees,€then€a€powerÐ pÀ Ðline,€then€the€roadway€and€power€line€pole.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€testimony€was€not€used€as€expertÐ ` ° Ðopinion€regarding€whether€an€in„flight€fire€occurred.€€Although€he€made€a€statement€regardingÐ P   Ðlack€of€evidence€of€an€in„flight€fire,€this€statement€was€included€within€his€observations€of€theÐ @  Ðengine€compartment€area€where€he€determined€if€there€was€ð ðany€area€of€torchingðð€and€found€thatÐ 0 € Ðthe€ð ðfire€wall€was€not€heat€damaged€or€burned€through.ðð€€€€€€€€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àThe€Plaintiffs€rely€upon€the€Advisory€Commission€Comments€to€Tennessee€Rule€ofÐ P  ÐEvidence€803(8),€which€state€that€the€Commission€ð ðexpressly€rejected€federal€subsection€(C)€[ofÐ ð@  ÐFederal€Rule€of€Evidence€803(8)]€on€factual€findings€from€investigations.ðð€€AdvisoryÐ à0  ÐCommission€Comments€are€persuasive€authority€for€our€interpretation€of€the€rule.€€òòSeeóóÐ Ð  ÐòòCovington€v.€Ô_ÔAcuffÔ_Ôóó,€1997€WL€626872,€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€ð ð[The€Comments]€cannot,Ð À Ðhowever,€alter€the€meaning€of€a€rule,€and€courts€need€not€resort€to€them€when€the€text€of€the€ruleÐ ° Ðis€clear.ðð€€òòCovingtonóó,€1997€WL€626872€at€*€2€(citations€omitted).€€Tennessee€Rule€of€EvidenceÐ  ð Ð803(8)€provides€a€hearsay€exception€for:€ð ðreports€.€.€.setting€forth€.€.€.€matters€observed€pursuantÐ à Ðto€a€duty€imposed€by€law€as€to€which€matters€there€was€a€duty€to€report,€excluding,€however,Ð €Ð Ðmatters€observed€by€police€officers€and€other€law€enforcement€personnel.ðð€€The€NationalÐ pÀ ÐTransportation€and€Safety€Board€has€a€duty€to€investigate€and€report€its€findings€from€a€planeÐ `° Ðcrash€such€as€the€one€involved€in€this€case.€€òòSeeóó€49€U.S.C.A.€ðððð€1131ð!ð32€(2000).€€Applying€theÐ P  Ðplain€language€of€the€rule,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€factual€accident€report€could€be€admitted€into€evidenceÐ @ Ðas€a€hearsay€exception.€€Ð 0€ ÐÌà  àIn€Tennessee,€there€are€statutes€which€prohibit€admitting€certain€reports€into€evidence.€Ð ` ÐUnder€Tennessee€law,€a€driver€of€a€vehicle€involved€in€an€accident€which€causes€bodily€injury€orÐ P Ðdeath€or€property€damage€above€$400€must€file€a€report€with€the€Department€of€Safety.€€òòSeeóóÐ ð@ ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€55„10„107(a)€(2000).€€The€reports€filed€to€the€Department€of€Safety€areÐ à0 Ðinadmissible€in€any€trial€arising€from€the€accident,€civil€or€criminal.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€55„Ð Ð  Ð10„114(b)€(2000).€€Additionally,€the€Department€of€Safetyððs€determination€of€fault€isÐ À! Ðinadmissible.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€55„12„108(b)€(2000).€The€difference€between€these€reportsÐ °"  Ðand€the€Ô_ÔNTSBÔ_Ô€factual€report€is€that€there€is€a€determination€or€admission€of€fault€in€the€reportsÐ  #ð! Ðexcluded€by€statute.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€testimony€did€not€contain€a€determination€of€fault.€€AnotherÐ $à" Ðreason€for€excluding€the€accident€reports€in€T.C.A.€Section€55„10„114(b)€is€their€inherentÐ €%Ð # ÐÔ_ÔunreliabiltiyÔ_Ô.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ôððs€testimony€was€reliable€because€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_Ô€prepared€the€reportÐ p&À!$ Ðfrom€which€he€read€and€defense€counsel€had€ample€opportunity€to€cross€examine€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_ÔÐ `'°"% Ðduring€his€deposition.€€€The€Trial€Court€did€not€commit€error€by€allowing€Mr.€Ô_ÔMonvilleÔ_ÔððsÐ P( #& Ðdeposition,€including€portions€of€the€report,€to€be€read€to€the€jury.Ð @)$' ÐÌÌÐ ,`'* Ðà@ü ü ìàòòALLOWING€DR.€BERRYððS€TESTIMONYóóˆÐ ° Ðà  àDr.€Charles€Berry€was€one€of€Cherokeeððs€experts€who€practices€in€the€area€of€aerospaceÐ  ð Ðand€preventive€medicine.€€Dr.€Berry€is€not€a€board€certified€pathologist,€but€he€has€some€trainingÐ à Ðin€pathology.€€His€expert€opinion€was€that€there€was€no€in„flight€fire.€€He€reached€this€conclusionÐ €Ð Ðby€reviewing€slides€of€the€lung€tissue€of€Mr.€Coffey€and€Ms.€Ô_ÔCowanÔ_Ô.€€Before€he€consulted€withÐ pÀ Ðany€other€doctors,€he€determined€that€there€was€no€pathological€evidence€indicating€an€in„flightÐ ` ° Ðfire.€€He€initially€consulted€Dr.€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_Ô,€a€board€certified€pathologist.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_ÔÐ P   Ðsuggested€they€consult€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô,€who€is€the€director€of€a€pulmonary€pathology€center.€€Both€Dr.Ð @  ÐÔ_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_Ô€and€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô€wrote€reports€and€sent€them€to€Dr.€Berry.€€Both€doctors€corroboratedÐ 0 € ÐDr.€Berryððs€opinion€that€there€was€no€in„flight€fire.€€Dr.€Berry€testified€that€it€was€standardÐ  p  Ðmedical€practice€to€consult€with€other€doctors€who€were€specialized€in€areas€outside€your€ownÐ `  Ðexpertise.€€Dr.€Berry€relied€upon€the€reports€and€opinions€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_Ô€and€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô€inÐ P  Ðforming€his€expert€opinion.€€Dr.€Berry€did€not€read€the€other€doctorsðð€reports€to€the€jury.€€TheÐ ð@  Ðreports€were€not€entered€into€evidence€or€shown€to€the€jury.€€One€sentence€of€Dr.€BerryððsÐ à0  Ðtestimony€is€a€summary€of€their€conclusions:€ð ðWell,€in€short,€both€Dr.€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_Ô€and€theÐ Ð  Ðpulmonary€specialist€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô€said€that€it€is€their€opinion€that€the€changesð!ðthat€there€were€noÐ À Ðpathologic€changes€being€shown€in€the€bronchioles€as€I€showed€you.ððÐ ° ÐÌà  àThe€Plaintiffs€argue€that€Dr.€Berryððs€testimony€regarding€the€reports€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_ÔÐ à Ðand€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô€should€not€have€been€admitted€because€the€Plaintiffs€were€unable€to€depose€eitherÐ €Ð Ðof€the€doctors.€€In€fact,€the€Trial€Court€quashed€Cherokeeððs€notices€of€depositions€for€the€twoÐ pÀ Ðdoctors€because€the€depositions€were€scheduled€to€occur€too€close€to€the€trial€date.€€Plaintiffs€citeÐ `° ÐòòÔ_ÔAmmonsÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔBonillaÔ_Ôóó,€886€S.W.2d€239€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994)€in€support€of€their€argument€that€Dr.Ð P  ÐÔ_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_Ôððs€and€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ôððs€reports€should€not€have€been€mentioned€in€Dr.€Berryððs€testimony.€Ð @ ÐIn€òòÔ_ÔAmmonsÔ_Ôóó,€the€Trial€Court€excluded€the€testimony€of€three€expert€witnesses€because€theÐ 0€ Ðplaintiff€failed€to€supplement€answers€to€interrogatories€regarding€the€identity€of€witnesses.€€òòSeeóóÐ  p ÐòòÔ_ÔAmmonsÔ_Ôóó,€886€S.W.2d€at€242„43.€€Cherokee€supplemented€its€answers€to€interrogatories€andÐ ` Ðinformed€Plaintiffs€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_Ô€and€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô.€€The€Trial€Court€did€not€allow€them€toÐ P Ðtestify,€but€their€opinions€were€relied€upon€by€the€testifying€expert€Dr.€Berry.€€Although€thereÐ ð@ Ðwas€not€time€to€depose€these€witnesses€prior€to€trial,€Plaintiffsðð€trial€counsel€was€given€copies€ofÐ à0 Ðthe€doctorsðð€reports€prior€to€trial.€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àTennessee€Rule€of€Evidence€703€describes€the€proper€bases€of€opinion€testimony€byÐ °"  Ðexperts€as€follows:€ð ðIf€of€a€type€reasonably€relied€upon€by€experts€in€the€particular€field€inÐ  #ð! Ðforming€opinions€or€inferences€upon€the€subject,€the€facts€or€data€need€not€be€admissible€inÐ $à" Ðevidence.€€The€court€shall€disallow€testimony€in€the€form€of€an€opinion€or€inference€if€theÐ €%Ð # Ðunderlying€facts€or€data€indicate€lack€of€trustworthiness.ðð€€Dr.€Berry€and€Dr.€Blake,€PlaintiffððsÐ p&À!$ ÐMedical€Expert,€both€testified€that€it€was€standard€medical€practice€to€consult€with€other€doctorsÐ `'°"% Ðwho€are€specialized€in€a€certain€area€and€rely€on€their€opinions.€€The€reports€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔWeilbaecherÔ_ÔÐ P( #& Ðand€Dr.€Ô_ÔCagleÔ_Ô€would€not€be€admissible€evidence.€€However,€Dr.€Berry€could€rely€uponÐ @)$' Ðinadmissible€evidence€in€forming€his€opinion.€€òòSeeóó€òòWillamette€Industries,€Inc.€v.€TennesseeÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âAssessment€Appeals€Commissionóó,€11€S.W.3d€142,€150€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999)€(real€estate€expertÐ  +p&) Ðrelied€upon€inadmissible€hearsay€in€forming€his€opinion).€€The€trial€court€did€not€err€in€allowingÐ ° ÐDr.€Berry€to€testify€regarding€the€reports€he€relied€upon€in€reaching€his€opinion.€€€€€Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà@< < ìàòòDENYING€ADMISSION€OF€DR.€Ô_ÔLOVELLÔ_ÔððS€TESTIMONYóóˆÐ €Ð Ðà  àò òó óDr.€Warren€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô€was€designated€as€one€of€Cherokeeððs€potential€expert€witnesses€for€theÐ pÀ Ðfirst€trial.€€On€April€22,€1998,€Cherokee€filed€a€supplemental€answer€to€interrogatories€whereinÐ ` ° ÐCherokee€stated€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô€would€not€be€called€as€a€witness€at€trial.€€Prior€to€the€first€trial,€Dr.Ð P   ÐÔ_ÔLovellÔ_Ô€testified€by€deposition€and€only€a€small€portion€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ôððs€deposition€was€filed€withÐ @  Ðthe€record€on€appeal.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô€stated:€ð ðI€canððt€say€for€certain€whether€there€was€an€in„flight€fireÐ 0 € Ðor€not.ðð€€He€attributed€his€uncertainty€to€the€limited€material€he€had€received€to€review€in€order€toÐ  p  Ðdetermine€whether€there€was€an€in„flight€fire.€€Ð `  ÐÌà  àOn€January€19,€1999,€Cherokee€filed€a€Motion€in€Ô_ÔLimineÔ_Ô€to€prohibit€Plaintiffs,€PlaintiffsððÐ ð@  Ðcounsel€or€any€of€Plaintiffsðð€witnesses€from€reading€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ôððs€deposition€into€evidence€orÐ à0  Ðmaking€any€reference€to€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô€being€retained€and€subsequently€ð ðterminated€or€firedðð€byÐ Ð  ÐCherokee.€€There€is€no€evidence€in€the€record€on€appeal,€by€order€or€during€a€motion€hearing,Ð À Ðthat€the€Trial€Court€ever€ruled€on€Cherokeeððs€Motion€in€Ô_ÔLimineÔ_Ô.€€Additionally,€there€is€noÐ ° Ðevidence€that€the€Plaintiffs€attempted€an€offer€of€proof€concerning€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô.€€During€PlaintiffsÐ  ð Ðcross„examination€of€Dr.€Berry,€the€following€occurred:Ð à ÐÌà  àQ.€€à0 ` àAnd€how€many€pathologists€totally€have€looked€at€this€case€on€behalf€of€theÐ pÀ Ðdefendant,€if€you€know€sir?Ð`°` (#` (# Ðà  àA.à0 ` àOn€behalf€of€the€defendant?ÐP ` (#` (# Ðà  àQ.à0 ` àAny€other€pathologists?Ð@` (#` (# Ðà  àA.à0 ` àThe€only€other€one€„€„Ð0€` (#` (# ÐMr.€Simms:à0 ` àIððm€going€to€interpose€an€objection€to€that€on€the€basis€of€previous€proceedingsÐ  p Ðthat€we€have€had€before€the€Court.Ð`` (#` (# ÐMr.€English:à0 ` àIððm€not€asking€for€a€name,€Your€Honor.€€Iððm€just€asking€if€any€other€pathologistsÐ P Ðhave€looked€at€this€case€on€behalf€of€the€defendant,€to€your€knowledge?Ðð@` (#` (# ÐThe€Witness:à0 ` àI€donððt€know.€€You€say€ð ðon€behalf€of€the€defendant,ðð€and€obviously€theÐ à0 Ðpathologist€that€did€the€autopsy€looked€at€the€„€„ÐÐ ` (#` (# Ðà  àQ.à0 ` àIððm€talking€at€the€direction€and€on€behalf€of€the€defendant.€€Did€you€read€aÐ À! Ðdeposition€of€a€pathologist€that€looked€at€this€„€„€into€this€case€before€you€got€intoÐ °"  Ðthis€case,€sir?Р#ð!` (#` (# Ðà  àA.€à0 ` àYeah.€€I€donððt€know€if€that€was€for€the€defendant€or€not.Ð$à"` (#` (# Ðà  àQ.€à0 ` àBeg€your€pardon?Ѐ%Ð #` (#` (# Ðà  àA.à0 ` àYeah,€but€Iððm€not€sure€who€it€was€for.€€Yes,€I€did.Ðp&À!$` (#` (# Ðà  àQ.€à0 ` àYou€read€a€deposition€of€a€pathologist?Ð`'°"%` (#` (# Ðà  àA.à0 ` àYes,€I€did.ÐP( #&` (#` (# Ðà  àQ.à0 ` àBut€did€you€take€that€into€consideration?Ð@)$'` (#` (# Ðà  àA.à0 ` àWell,€I€took€it€into€consideration.Ð0*€%(` (#` (# Ðà  àQ.€à0 ` àYou€did?Ð +p&)` (#` (# Ðà  àA.à0 ` àYeah.Ð,`'*` (#` (# ЀÌà  àThat€is€the€only€testimony€found€in€the€entire€record€on€appeal€which€made€a€vagueÐ  ð Ðreference€to€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô.€€The€Trial€Court€did€not€order€Plaintiffsðð€counsel€to€refrain€from€that€lineÐ à Ðof€questioning.€€Plaintiffsðð€counsel€did€not€attempt€to€offer€any€proof€regarding€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_ÔððsÐ €Ð Ðopinion€or€the€fact€that€Dr.€Ô_ÔLovellÔ_Ô€was€at€one€time€designated€to€be€a€potential€expert€witness€forÐ pÀ ÐCherokee€and€then€was€replaced€by€Dr.€Berry.€€Without€an€offer€of€proof,€the€trial€court€did€notÐ ` ° Ðrule€on€this€issue.€€It€appears€that€the€Plaintiffs€are€arguing€that€it€is€obvious€from€the€record€whatÐ P   Ðthey€intended€to€offer€as€proof.€€ð ð[Ô_ÔW]hereÔ_Ô€an€appellant€fails€to€make€an€offer€of€proof€we€will€notÐ @  Ðreverse€a€Trial€Judge€on€that€evidentiary€issue.ðð€€òòShepherd€v.€Perkins€Buildersóó,€968€S.W.2d€832,Ð 0 € Ð834€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).Ð  p  ÐÌà  àBecause€the€Plaintiffs€failed€to€make€an€offer€of€proof,€we€need€not€discuss€theirÐ P  Ðarguments€regarding€allowing€cross„examination€regarding€bias€and€prejudice€and€admitting€Dr.Ð ð@  ÐÔ_ÔLovellÔ_Ôððs€statement€as€an€admission€by€an€agent.€€Lastly,€Plaintiffs€assert€that€a€missing€witnessÐ à0  Ðjury€instruction€should€have€been€given.€€However,€there€is€no€indication€in€the€record€that€theÐ Ð  ÐPlaintiffs€asked€for€this€instruction.€€Ð À ÐÌà  àAfter€hearing€all€the€evidence,€the€jury€returned€a€verdict€for€Cherokee€and€the€TrialÐ  ð ÐCourt€approved€its€verdict.€€The€jury€and€Trial€Court€are€in€the€best€position€to€evaluate€theÐ à Ðevidence.€€We€find€there€was€material€evidence€to€support€the€verdict.Ð €Ð Ðà  àÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons€the€judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€is€affirmed€and€the€causeÐ `° Ðremanded€for€the€collection€of€costs€below.€€Costs€of€appeal€are€adjudged€against€Laura€S.Ð P  ÐCoffey,€Peter€R.€Ô_ÔCowanÔ_Ô€and€their€sureties.Ð @ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_________________________________________Ð P Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àHOUSTON€M.€GODDARD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE