A twin-engine Cessna 310 plane crashed near the airport on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles, resulting in a small three-acre brush fire and causing the three individuals onboard to suffer burn injuries. The Associated Press reports that the small plane’s left engine failed after takeoff. The 54-year-old pilot had arrived from Santa Ana and was picking up two passengers, a 50-year-old man and 48-year-old woman. After the engine failed, the pilot followed emergency procedures and the plane crashed approximately a half-mile southeast of the airport. The pilot and passengers were transported to hospitals by helicopter and are reported to be in stable condition.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the registered owner of the plane is Sabovich and Sons, Inc., a construction company in Arroyo Grande, CA. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation of the crash is pending.
Although airplane travel is considered to be a convenient and generally safe form of transportation, federal and state rules and regulations are in place to help monitor aircraft operation, maintenance and pilot performance. However, aviation accidents still occur for various reasons, many of which relate to some form of negligence or oversight. In crash investigations, investigators often examine pilot error or defective plane parts as potential contributing factors to the accident.
Plane crashes often result in devastating consequences for accident victims and their families. For those who are fortunate enough to survive an aviation disaster, the road to recovery can be a long one, especially in cases of severe burn injury, head trauma, spinal cord injury, and other catastrophic injuries.
At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles plane crash attorneys understand the many complexities surrounding aviation accident litigation, especially when private aircrafts are involved. To ensure that you and your family are compensated fairly, please contact our firm to learn more about your legal rights. Call 877-800-1700 today for a free consultation.
