Plane Accident

Minnesota Plane Accident Attorneys

Plane accidents are fortunately rare. The care and detail paid to air travel has resulted in a remarkable level of safety for today’s air travelers. However, the very nature of air travel means that the even slightest failure can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Accidents can happen from the largest passenger jet planes to single-engine and ultralight aircraft.

There are many factors that go into a successful flight. This means that checklists need to be followed properly, flight plans must be carefully calculated, the plane needs to be maintained carefully, and the pilots must be in good condition to fly. If anything is wrong in any of these areas, there can be serious consequences.

Mechanical defects, failure to maintain equipment, pilot error and improper preflight procedures are all issues that can lead to crashes. If you have been the victim of a plane accident or you have lost a loved one, speak to your Minnesota plane accident lawyer about your rights in the matter, and it can be decided whether or not you have a claim.

Airline Crashes

In the case of large airliners, crashes typically end in death. The planes have an average cruising height of 30,000-40,000 feet above the ground and carry more than 50,000 gallons of fuel. There is little room for error. If the plane hits the ground, there are times that there are survivors, but the injuries are usually quite severe.

Some accidents are simply unavoidable. Bird strikes and severe weather can bring down an otherwise perfectly flown and well-maintained aircraft. Airliner crashes can also be caused by equipment malfunction, defective airplane parts, pilot error and improper runway maintenance. If it is found that the pilot was intoxicated or on some kind of improper medication while operating a plane, the pilot made an incorrect maneuver, or that the plane was allowed to fly without undergoing proper maintenance, responsible parties can be held accountable through a lawsuit.

Small Plane Crashes

In the case of small airplane crashes, the circumstances around the crash can be different from those involved in a large airline crash. Although the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a thorough investigation of major airline accidents, their investigation in to small plane accidents is not as complete. A thorough private investigation may be required to find out what really happened.

Small planes may be owned and maintained by individual hobbyists or rented from small airport businesses. If the plane is rented, then the company that rents out the plane must maintain it to exacting standards. If the owner of the plane fails to maintain it properly and this leads to a crash, that individual or business will be legally responsible for any damages that occur.

The ramifications of a small plane crash can be just as serious as the largest commercial accident. Nonprofessional pilots typically do not have the same number of flight hours and experience as professional pilots. When a person flies their own plane and they have passengers on board at the time of the crash, the passengers can file a claim against the owner and/or pilot for any errors that they made.

Plane owners or their next of kin can file lawsuits against manufacturers if it is found that a component within their plane was defective and caused a crash. Any of these causes are grounds for contacting a Minneapolis plane accident attorney to see what your options are.

Contact A Minnesota Plane Accident Attorney

The owners, manufacturers, and operators of planes have a responsibility to protect those of us that use their planes whether as a pilot or a passenger. When a plane accident is the result of someone else’s negligence they need to be held responsible. If you or a family member have been the victim of an air accident, call the Meshbesher Law Firm for a free consultation at 612-349-5215 for a free consultation.

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