{"id":23299,"date":"2019-03-12T15:46:14","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T22:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/downtownlalaw.com\/?page_id=23299"},"modified":"2026-06-14T14:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T14:15:13","slug":"abogados-de-accidentes-de-aviacion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/downtownlalaw.com\/es\/practice-areas\/aviation-accident-lawyers\/","title":{"rendered":"Accidentes de aviaci\u00f3n| Informaci\u00f3n sobre accidentes de aviaci\u00f3n: Tipos, causas y m\u00e1s"},"content":{"rendered":"

AVIATION ACCIDENT<\/h1>\n

Aviation Accidents | Aviation Accident Information: Types, Causes, and More<\/h1>\n

INJURY ACCIDENT LAWYERS<\/h1>\n

Aviation Accidents\nAviation Accident\nInformation Types,\nCauses, and More<\/h1>\n\"\"\n

Free Case Review<\/h1>\n

(<\/span>855)<\/span> 339–<\/span>8879<\/a><\/h1>\n\"\"\n

Aviation as an industry has been active for over 120 years, and since the beginning, there have been sweeping changes and improvements that make flying a relatively safe experience. Aside from enhanced training for pilots, computerized navigation systems make it safer than ever to operate a private or commercial aircraft. <\/p>\n

In spite of all the advances, there is no way to completely eliminate the potential for an accident. After all, we have to trust that the pilot will take the needed precautions and fly the plane or helicopter in a safe and responsible manner. This is particularly important for amateur and student pilots, but even experienced pilots with decades of experience can make mistakes or engage in reckless conduct. <\/p>\n

Currently, around 375,000 aircrafts are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In order to obtain a pilot\u2019s license, you need to have accumulated a certain number of flight hours, among many other requirements. Essentially, many rules are in place to ensure that only individuals with a certain level of skill, experience, and professionalism are allowed to fly unsupervised or have a career in the aviation industry. Others may simply wish to own a plane, which comes with its own set of requirements. Other jobs that have to do with aviation include stewards, plane mechanics, engineers, flight paramedics, and parachuting and skydiving instructors. <\/p>\n

Whether by human error or defects on the plane, there were approximately 550 deaths associated with aircraft accidents. Most accidents happen in the middle of a flight, especially crashes that result in multiple deaths. One bit of good news has to do with the fact that aviation accidents have been steadily decreasing since 2010. Overall, aviation accidents are not everyday events, and most people thankfully arrive at their destination without any problems. But when there is an accident, the resulting harm can be devastating for passengers, flight crew members, and innocent bystanders. <\/p>\nNotable Aviation Accidents<\/span>\n

Accidents with aircrafts are not as frequent as car accidents, so when there is an occurrence, there is a lot of news coverage and intense reaction from the public. It\u2019s also worth noting that most of these accidents results in many passengers dying in a terrifying manner. This also creates more buzz and increased scrutiny on the pilot, the airline, and others who may be at fault. <\/p>\n

Major plane crashes include Lion Air Flight 610, which fell into the ocean on October 29, 2018 after taking off from Jakarta. Nearly all 200 people on the plane were killed. The plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was a major source of controversy as more and more details were uncovered about this model. The MAX 8 appeared to have a number of flight control issues, including instrument malfunction and Angle of Attack (AOA) failure. <\/p>\n

After the Lion Air tragedy, a warning was issued by Boeing to all owners and operators of these planes. But less than 6 months later, 150 were killed onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, another Boeing 737 MAX 8. Investigations after the flight showed that the accident may have been caused<\/a> by the same problems that were found on Lion Air Flight 610.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Types of Aviation Accident<\/span>\n

Given how many aircrafts are registered in the U.S, there is always the possibility of accidents that injure or kill people. Planes carrying many passengers have the biggest impact in terms of devastating accidents with casualties. The average flight for a major airliner can have over 100 passengers on board, and depending on the location of the crash, there may be serious damage to homes, buildings, farms, and other structures. Aviation accidents include different events that have to do with crashes and other traumatic aircraft incidents, such as:<\/p>\nAccidents on Commercial Planes<\/span>\n

Most aviation accidents involve commercial flights, meaning airplanes that are used for domestic or international travel. It should be noted that advances in technology and federal regulations have reduced the number of commercial airline crashes, but these incidents still happen from time to time. <\/p>\n

The parties that failed in their duty of care to the passengers should be held accountable. However, those who are injured or had a family member die in a plane crash are generally unaware of the laws that have to do with liability for an aviation accident. These include the Montreal Convention\u2019s modifications on the rights of air disaster victims and the Admiralty Law, which is used in cases of accidents over navigable or international waters.<\/p>\nHelicopter Crashes<\/span>\n

Accidents in helicopters are often blamed on inexperience by pilots, and this appears to be the case with many of the reports released by entities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Helicopters operate quite differently compared to airplanes, and they are often used in emergency situations. You often hear of helicopters being used in search and rescue missions by law enforcement, especially in secluded wilderness areas. Helicopters can also transport critically injured or sick patients to various medical facilities around the country. <\/p>\n

Helicopters have certain limitations that require them to fly closer to the ground. Helicopters can maneuver much more efficiently than planes, but even one wrong move by the pilot can result in catastrophic injuries<\/a> or fatality for those on board. Because a helicopter flies closer to the ground, this increases the possibility of crashes, particularly when you are flying over mountains, forests, and bodies of water. This is very common with helicopters that are used for private tours that fly people over volcanoes, canyons, skyscrapers, and other obstacles. <\/p>\n

Aside from navigating conditions in the air, helicopter pilots must keep an eye out for power lines, improperly maintained landing zones, and many other hazards.<\/p>\nPrivate Aircraft Accidents<\/span>\n

Some people own private aircrafts and keep them at hangars, bases, ranches, and other approved locations. Perhaps they fly as a hobby or travel a lot for business and want their own mode of long distance travel. Others rent out the plane rather than use it for themselves, but no matter the reason, owners of planes have a duty to ensure that all parts of the plane are in good working order. <\/p>\n

Owners must also hire responsible and experienced pilots to operate the aircraft. The majority of private airplane accidents have to do with lack of experience or poor judgement by the pilot. Unfortunately, private aircrafts are not held to the same standards as commercial airlines, so operators may take chances that put people\u2019s lives at risk. Or, they may not have the range of equipment or knowledge to handle an in-flight emergency. <\/p>\nIn-flight Injuries to Passengers<\/span>\n

In-flight injuries refer to bodily harm to people on a plane when they are on route to a destination. This is one type of accident that is not typically blamed on pilot error. Many incidents involve other staff being negligent, like a stewardess burning you with hot coffee. In this scenario, you could file a claim for medical expenses and other damages with the airline. <\/p>\n

Other parties that may be at fault include the manufacturer of the plane or companies that made specific components for the plane. Passengers can also be injured during a flight if there is improper or lack of maintenance that failed to catch a defect. This can cause all sorts of hazards on the plane, like fires or violent shaking. People can also get hurt if there are plastic and metal parts that are broken, sharp, or jagged, and these are things that have to be taken care of by the airline. <\/p>\n

Seats and restraints are crucial components inside a plane when it comes to accident prevention. Even a slight flaw in the design or structural integrity can lead to someone being ejected from their seat if there is turbulence during a flight. Injuries to passengers can also occur when overhead compartment doors open midair and cause luggage to fall out. Trip and fall and slip and fall accidents can happen<\/a> inside a plane as well, so the flooring and carpets must be cleaned and maintained, and any spills or debris on the floor must be taken care of immediately. <\/p>\nEntertainment Services<\/span>\n

Some companies that operate aircrafts offer services other than passenger travel. For example, you have businesses that take people in the air for parachuting and skydiving. Such companies must ensure that they have highly trained and responsible employees, considering the risks that are involved. Pilots must also have specialized training to prevent a myriad of errors that can have tragic consequences for the people on board or those who are descending to the ground. <\/p>\nWhat are the Causes of Aviation Accidents?<\/span>\n

Both the FAA and NTSB release reports after they investigate an aviation accident. From these reports, we can glean important information on the causes of plane and helicopter accidents<\/a>. Keep reading to learn about common causes of accidents involving aircrafts.<\/p>\nIn-flight Loss of Control<\/b>\n

In general, aircrafts are controlled by a combination of automatic systems and actions by the pilot \/ pilots. So, the pilot cannot rely solely on automatic controls, nor can automatic controls completely replace what pilots do inside a plane. When readings are wrong and other problems occur with automated controls, a pilot must intervene, but they can make the wrong decision or lack the experience to correct the problem. Alternatively, the pilot may be asleep or unable to think clearly if they are fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. No matter the cause, loss of control in-flight can lead to accidents based on missing the runaway, having a premature descent, and other serious errors. <\/p>\nControlled Flight into Terrain<\/b>\n

This sounds like an intentional strategy by the pilot, but it\u2019s actually a type of accident where the pilot still crashes even though he has full control of the aircraft. The pilot becoming disoriented and losing their sense of spatial awareness can lead to a controlled flight into terrain. Normally, these accidents occur when the pilot is close to their destination, and in spite of the word \u201cterrain,\u201d pilots can also crash into water or some other obstacle. <\/p>\nFuel Related Accidents<\/b>\n

If a plane does not have enough fuel or has been fueled improperly prior to takeoff, this will cause the aircraft to stall. Aside from fuel starvation (not enough fuel in the tanks), a crash can happen if there is a blockage or defect with one or more parts that keeps the fuel from reaching the needed areas inside the plane. A crash is inevitable in these situations unless the pilot can guide the plane to a safe landing.<\/p>\nMidair Plane Crashes<\/b>\n

Error by pilots can include lack of communication with other pilots, or unclear messages that are vague or confusing. Due the lack of another plane\u2019s locations, aircrafts can crash into each other midair. Thankfully, these accidents are very rare, as there are many methods of communication between pilots during a flight. <\/p>\nBad Weather<\/b>\n

Though pilots are trained to fly in all sorts of adverse conditions, there is no denying that navigating a plane through tough weather is a difficult task. Passengers can be injured mid-flight if there is significant turbulence, but fatal crashes can happen during or right after takeoff because of lightning, thunderstorms, and icy conditions. Aviation accidents (bird strikes) can also take place because of flying animals, like geese and vultures.<\/p>\nMechanical Failure<\/b>\n

We expect that helicopters and planes are inspected before each and every flight. However, inspections must take place during every stage of production, as many lives can be lost or devastated when there is any type of mechanical trouble on an aircraft. Testing and inspections begin at the design and conceptualization stage and continue at various points during the manufacturing process. These steps are necessary to ensure there are no defects with the engine, wings, instruments, and other parts of the plane. <\/p>\nYour Rights as an Aircraft Passenger<\/span>\n

Passengers on any type of aircraft should be aware of their legal rights, which vary depending on the services provided to the customer. A commercial airline, for example, transports passengers from point A to B, and offers meals, entertainment, and other services that are included in the ticket price. Clearly, airlines and their employees owe passengers the highest duty of care, but accidents can happen, even when the staff have taken all the necessary precautions. On the other hand, you also have clear cases of negligence that are grounds for a lawsuit<\/a>. In order to proceed with a compensation claim against an airline, airport, aircraft manufacturer, etc., you must establish:<\/p>\n