Statistically, air travel is the safest means of transportation available. Commercial airline pilots spend hours in the skies and are held to extremely high standards of conduct. Furthermore, commercial aircraft have terrific men and women maintaining them and are also subject to regulatory scrutiny.
Unfortunately, when accidents do happen, they tend to be catastrophic. Most airplane accidents tend to involve smaller, private aircraft piloted by hobbyists or private companies. Instances of negligence may be more prevalent among these entities due to a lack of flight time, professional maintenance, and oversight.
An airplane accident may forever change the lives of passengers and victims on the ground. When they do happen, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) steps in to investigate. Federal agencies will examine all the evidence including looking at the aircraft’s black box flight recorder to determine what caused the accident.
When carelessness or negligence is found to be at play, victims and their surviving family members may be able to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions. Should an accident ever befall you or your family, consider hiring an Orlando airplane accident attorney to help advocate for your legal rights.
Orlando plane crash accidents
In one recent Orlando airplane crash, a man and a woman were killed after the six-passenger plane they were traveling in crashed into Clear Lake just 15 minutes after take off. The plane departed from Orlando Executive Airport shortly after 11 am on its way to Gainesville, Texas.
Although bystanders at the scene attempted to rescue the pair trapped in the aircraft, their attempts were unsuccessful. Witnesses reported hearing the plane’s engine revving as it descended into the lake, suggesting engine failure may have played a part.
Causes of airplane accidents
Although each airplane crash is unique and left to investigators to be determined, there are some common causes of accidents that seem to be prevailing themes. Common causes of airplane crashes include:
- Pilot error: Aircraft operators may misjudge weather conditions, make navigation errors, be inebriated by alcohol or drugs, or are simply not experienced enough to handle emergencies.
- Mechanical failure: Over 20 percent of airplane crashes occur due to mechanical failure of vital aircraft systems. When mechanical failures occur, pilots may be at the mercy of their aircraft.
- Inclement weather: Approximately 12 percent of airplane crashes happen because of hazardous weather conditions. Lightning, strong winds, and fog may all play a part in airplane accidents.
Orlando plane crash lawyers
Not only will federal agencies like the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigate the cause of an airplane crash, local authorities may also be involved. With the multitude of agencies investigating a crash, victims and families may need a strong advocate to handle any civil claims.
If negligence is found to be a cause of the crash, airplane accident victims and family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral costs, hospital bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speak to a qualified Orlando personal injury attorney if you have questions about your claim and get the justice you and your family deserve.
