Investigations Continue into Fatal Georgia Plane Crash
The Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating what caused a fatal plane crash in South Georgia. Reports show that a twin engine Cessna was scheduled to land at the Cairo-Grady County Airport in the morning hours. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane when it was approximately 13 miles away from the airport. Search crews located the downed plane around 4 p.m. near Climax, GA. Sadly, the two people aboard did not survive. Formal investigations could take up a year to complete, but investigators have noted the plane crashed at a 90 degree bank.
Causes of Small Plane Accidents
While large commercial airplanes rarely crash, smaller aircrafts are involved in far more accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that 440 people were killed in small plane accidents in the year 2012. There are several reasons why small planes crash more often than larger ones. One factor is the level of experience among small aircraft pilots as compared to commercial pilots. In fact, amateur pilots do not require the same degree of experience as commercial ones. Further, small airports at times lack paved driveways or smooth landing strips, leading to some pilots losing control of the plane on the descent. For these and other reasons, some safety experts have called for reform on current small plane licensing rules and small airport standards.
Accident Claims Following a Small Plane Crash
Small plane crashes are still quite rare, but as this recent accident demonstrates, when these accidents occur, the results can be catastrophic. Those who perish in a plane crash or become seriously injured should be eligible to seek compensation from the manufacturer of the plane or the pilot involved in the accident.
Plane accident litigation can be quite complex and has several limitations. For instance, federal laws provide immunity to the manufacturers of airplanes that are over 18 years old. Those injured in a plane crash while operating or riding in an older plane cannot bring a product liability action against the manufacturer, though they might still have other avenues for recovery.
Insurance coverage can also present issues. In some cases, pilots will carry minimal insurance on their planes, often times carrying even less insurance on their planes than most have on their automobiles. General aviation pilots might not have insurance at all.
Due to the complexities that surround small plane crash litigation, anyone injured in a plane accident or anyone who has lost a loved one in such a crash should consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible, who can evaluate the facts and circumstances of what happened as well as take the necessary steps to obtain compensation.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident involving negligence, contact the Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our law firm is dedicated to assisting injured accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast. We bring over 39 years of experience to your personal injury case, providing you with the exceptional representation you need to obtain the best possible outcome. The sooner you act after your injury, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/South-Georgia-Officials-Searching-for-Missing-Plane-343797612.html