Aviation Accidents and Injuries –
A Summary
Rarely does one expect disaster to strike. When it does, victims and their families usually find themselves unprepared for the obstacles they must now face, not knowing where to turn for assistance or answers. For those whose lives have been devastated by an aviation disaster, it is particularly important to know precisely which resources are available to them in the hours, days, and weeks that follow. It is equally important for them to have a clear understanding of their rights and legal options, as well as what government agencies can and cannot provide in the way of assistance.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) anticipates that air travel will double over the next two decades. Although this increase bodes well for the airline industry, it will also lead to a substantially higher risk of serious aviation accidents. Modern air travel is generally considered to be among the safest modes of transportation; however, accidents do occur, often with devastating results. In fact, a review of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident statistics reveals that aviation accidents are actually more common than most people realize.
If someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in an aviation disaster, you cannot rely on government agencies to explain your rights or promote your personal interests. For emotional and spiritual support you should be able to depend on family, friends, clergy, neighbors, and other members of your community. However, for answers to more pressing questions about your future, your legal rights, and your options, you should seek the advice of attorneys who possess extensive experience in aviation accident cases.
Aviation litigation is complex. At the outset it can be difficult to determine which parties are legally responsible for accidents, as theories of liability differ according to state, federal, and international laws. In general, to prove legal liability the plaintiff must be able to present evidence that the defendant failed to meet industry standards related to safe operation, engineering, design, or manufacture of an aircraft, among other operational issues. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, any number of parties may be held liable, including the owner and operator of the aircraft, manufacturers, maintenance suppliers, and in certain cases, even the federal government.
You should never feel obligated to hire a lawyer following an aviation accident. A reputable aviation law firm will provide trustworthy information about your options and the various resources at your disposal, whether you decide to proceed with litigation or not. For further information or assistance in your time of need, please feel free to contact the law firm of Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy, the sponsor of this Website.
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New York Yankees Pitcher Cory Lidle Perishes When Plane Crashes into Building
When: Oct. 11, 2006
Where: New York City, New York
Summary: A Cirrus SR-20 propeller plane carrying Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and his flight instructor crashed into a building in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, injuring eighteen and killing both passengers. Reports indicate that a lack of fuel combined with the difficulty of flying in the crowded East River area may have caused the crash. The accident occurred 27 years after a similarly tragic crash claimed the life of legendary Yankees catcher Thurman Munson.
More recent aviation accidents
Plane Crash in the Amazon Rainforest Claims 155 Lives
When: Sept. 30, 2006
Where: Peixoto de Azevedo, Brazil
Summary: Gol Airlines Flight 1907 crashed in the dense Amazon rainforest after being clipped by a corporate jet, killing all 155 people on board. The plane was bound for Brasilia, heading from Manaus, and was scheduled for two more stops in Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo.
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49 Killed in Commuter Jet Crash in Kentucky
When: Aug. 27, 2006
Where: Lexington, KY
Summary: 49 killed when a CRJ-100 regional commuter jet attempted to take off from the Lexington Blue Grass Airport's shortest runway. A co-pilot was the only survivor and is currently hospitalized in critical condition. This crash brings an end to the United States' "safest period in aviation history." The US had been free of major commercial crashes since Nov. 12, 2001.
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Cessna 560 Crashes at San Diego County Airport, Killing All Four Passengers Aboard
When: Jan. 24, 2006
Where: Carlsbad, California
Summary: A twin-engine Cessna 560 bound for San Diego County from Idaho ran off the end of the runway at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California, crashing into a storage shack and killing all four people on board. The jet engine aircraft, which was registered to Goship Air of Idaho, approached the runway at a clearly excessive speed according to an eyewitness to the crash.
Read Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy’s press release on this aviation accident. (.PDF)
More recent aviation accidents
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