The beautiful skies in Florida make it easy to take up outdoor activities and hobbies. You won’t have to look hard to find boat enthusiasts, avid surfers, or seasoned golfers. In addition to these hobbies, many in the area are licensed to fly their own small planes. However, like with any personal interest, there can be risks associated with the activity, and operating a small plane definitely comes with its own set of high stakes. The Palm Beach County area has unfortunately witnessed the costs of flying small planes in the last few weeks. At the end of February, one life was lost after a small plane crashed at Tailwinds Airpark. This tragic accident happened just two days after a Boca Raton pilot went missing while operating his single-engine Lancair 320 plane.
HOW COMMON ARE SMALL PLANE CRASHES?
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, small plane crashes and their fatalities have been on the rise in the last few years for the United States. Notably, in 2018, the numbers rose by almost 50 deaths per year. ABC News reports, “…46 more people were killed in aviation accidents than the year before, leading the fatal accident rate to rise above 1 per 100,000 flight hours for the first time in two years.” With a 13% increase in fatalities, there were about 3 small plane crashes in the United States each day.
More specifically, small plane crashes are also very common in the state of Florida. In 2018, two residents of Lake Worth Beach lost their lives while flying back from the Florida Keys. Engine failure is said to have been the cause of the Cessna 355 that went down that day in September. Last May, a Piper PA-34 flew so lowly that it clipped power lines and crashed, taking the life of one of its two passengers. Later that year in September, a Van’s RV-8 crashed in Hilliard and claimed the life of its pilot. These are just a few of the many examples we have seen of small plane crashes in our great state. One does not have to search for too long before finding a variety of similar stories.
MOST SMALL PLANE CRASHES RESULT IN FATALITIES
Unfortunately, the odds of a fatality are not favorable for small planes. The size of the plane is a culprit in and of itself. Any type of impact to a small plane is bound to have enormous consequences for those inside of it. Additionally, the amount of training can be an issue. Unlike larger planes that require various types of official training, it is much easier for someone who is ill-equipped to operate a small personal plane and get away with it. With limited space and more room for error with training, small planes face higher chances of fatalities than their larger counterparts.
HOW TO ESTABLISH FAULT FOR A SMALL PLANE CRASH
There are many reasons why a small plane would crash. One obvious reason would be pilot error. In this instance, a pilot could be held responsible if he or she makes a wrong call for the operation of the plane. This could be due to a lack of training, an honest mistake, or substance abuse. Another common reason is mechanical error. With this kind of situation, fault could possibly fall on the plane manufacturer, an airplane mechanic, or an engine component manufacturer. Lastly, atmospheric conditions could cause a small plane to crash. Heavy storms can challenge even the most seasoned pilot in his or her time of need.
If you have experienced a small plane crash, you deserve compensation for what you have endured. The best way to make sure the right people take responsibility is to get legal representation you can trust. Establishing fault for an accident like this takes time and endurance. You will need a lawyer on your side who will not only fight for you, but also anticipate the variety of fights you may face. You know your suffering and pain from this experience, but the law offices of Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh know the statistics, common reasons, and possible responsible parties who may try to avoid taking credit for this small plane crash. There is no need to make a traumatic experience any more complicated than it has already been, so reach out today for a free strategy session.
CONTACT A FIRM YOU CAN TRUST
If you or a loved one are involved in a small plane accident, contact the law offices of Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh today. Our firm has seen the devastation caused by small plane accidents in Florida, and we know how tricky establishing fault can be for the victim. Allow yourself to recover properly by letting us navigate your legal needs during this time. Contact a trusted lawyer today at Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh to get started on the compensation you deserve.