A deadly plane crash over an airport on California’s central coast on Aug. 18 left three people dead.
According to an NBC news report, the planes collided at Watsonville Municipal Airport while trying to land. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said one of the planes was a twin-engine Cessna 340 with two people on board, and the other was a Cessna 152 with one person aboard. Officials said both aircraft were on their final approaches when the crash occurred.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner identified the plane crash victims as 75-year-old Carl Kruppa and 67-year-old Nannette Plett-Kruppa, both of Winton, and 32-year-old Stuart Camenson, of Santa Cruz. Witnesses report seeing the two aircraft collide about 200 feet in the air.
One witness said the twin-engine plane banked hard and struck the wing of the single-engine plane, causing it to spiral down and crash near the edge of the airport. The investigation into this tragic collision is ongoing.
What Causes a Plane Crash and Other Aviation Accidents?
Airplanes involve complex machinery. It takes special skills and abilities to fly a plane. Things could go wrong even when a skilled pilot is flying an aircraft. Here are just some of the common causes of airplane accidents:
Poor maintenance
Like cars or machinery, airplanes need periodic maintenance. Different parts also require regular inspection to ensure they are in good working order. When airplanes are not properly inspected and maintained, they are more likely to crash due to part failure or malfunction.
Pilot error
Pilots of airplanes can sometimes make mistakes. While some may simply not have the experience or ability required, others may cause a crash because they are tired, distracted, or impaired. Sometimes, pilots might make the wrong call when flying in inclement weather. When a pilot shows poor judgment or fails to take prompt action to prevent a crash, the pilot and his or her employer can be held accountable.
Defects and malfunctions
Failure of mechanical components like the engine, propeller, or landing gear can occasionally cause accidents. In such cases, the aircraft manufacturer and/or the maker of the defective product can be held liable.
Violation of regulations
The FAA is the federal agency that sets regulations regarding aircraft and flying. If these rules are violated, passengers’ safety could be compromised.
Error on the part of air traffic controllers
Air traffic controllers have an extremely important job: to coordinate incoming and outgoing aircraft safely. Any mistakes could result in accidents, particularly as planes prepare to land or are in the process of landing.
Aviation Accident Cases Can Be Complex
Aviation accidents often result in lengthy and complex investigations involving a federal agency such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Sometimes, aviation accidents may involve multiple agencies. These probes can take months or even years to complete.
A number of potential defendants may be involved in a plane crash or helicopter collision case, such as the owner or operator of the aircraft, ground crews, maintenance companies, aircraft manufacturers, a pilot and his or her employer, and air traffic controllers.
If you have been injured in an aviation accident or if you have lost a loved one in a tragic plane crash, you must seek the counsel of an experienced California aviation accident lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and help ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected.
Seeking Compensation for Losses
In such cases, you may be able to seek compensation for damages, including but not limited to medical expenses, lost income, the cost of hospitalization, rehabilitative treatment, permanent injuries, disabilities, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
If you have lost a family member, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for medical and funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering, and loss of love, care, and companionship.
The value or worth of an aviation accident case will typically depend on the nature and severity of the injuries and/or loss as well as the degree of negligence involved on the part of the defendants, among other factors.
Brian Chase, managing partner and senior trial attorney at the California personal injury law firm of Bisnar Chase, understands all too well the impact such a devastating aviation accident could have not just on victims and loved ones but also on communities that are reminded of their vulnerability and helplessness when these incidents occur.
“Aviation accidents are extremely frightening because we have seen so many cases here in Southern California where airplanes or helicopters crash into homes,” he said. “So, in some cases, not only do they affect those on board, but also community members on the ground who unfortunately become victims instantly.”
Aircraft operators and companies that manufacture and maintain these aircraft have a duty of care to operate them safely and make products that are safe for everyone.
