Personal Injury Litigation Blog

The only two people aboard a Royal Air cargo jet, tail number N720RA, have been killed in a Des Plaines plane crash on January 5, 2010. According to a Chicago Breaking News Center article, the tragic collision took place south of the Chicago Executive Airport in northwest suburban Wheeling. The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot of the Learjet were thought to be found amongst the debris, but they have yet to be identified. The plane is believed to have been empty and on its way to pick up cargo.

Apparently, the plane was cleared to land along runway 34 and was making a normal approach when it went down. The aircraft had departed from the Detroit area. The director of central services for Oakland County, Michigan stated that according to Royal Air, both men aboard the plane were experienced pilots. He said, “I understand they were both commercially rated, which means they were professional pilots, rated in that type of airplane and qualified to take that kind of flight.”

Although the cause of this fatal plane crash was not mentioned at the time the article was published, the senior safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board stated, “We will look at the systems, the structure, the engine.” The model 35A plane was manufactured by Gates Learjet Corp. and is a fixed-wing, two-engine craft with seating for 8 passengers and 2 crew members. It is also widely used by cargo companies after the passenger seats are removed. Considered to be one of the safest planes in the sky, a detailed investigation will establish whether a plane component failed, or if pilot error or poor maintenance contributed to the accident.

Family members of aviation wrongful death victims may be able to seek compensation for damages associated with the loss of a loved one. At Panish, Shea & Boyle, our aviation disaster attorneys have a successful track record of holding negligent parties legally responsible for causing wrongful death and catastrophic injury. To learn more about Panish, Shea, & Boyle’s many accomplishments in aviation and wrongful death litigation, please visit www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com or call 1-800-591-8116 for a free consultation of your plane accident case.

Source:http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/01/plane-reported-down-in-forest-preserve-near-wheeling-airport.html

The LA Times has reported that three biologists from the California Department of Fish and Game have been killed in a helicopter crash in the Sierra National Forest. The crash which occurred on January 5, 2010 also appears to have claimed the life of the pilot. The biologists were conducting deer surveys in a wooded, remote area near Fresno and the Madera county line.

Authorities stated that the crash took place south of Redinger Lake, California and the explosion following the crash has resulted in a fire. A Madera County Sheriff’s spokeswoman said that the site of the fire is inaccessible, but moisture and light winds have prevented it from spreading rapidly.

At the time of the article’s release, information regarding what specifically caused the helicopter to crash was not provided. Our hearts go out to the families of these biologists and the helicopter pilot.

Helicopter crashes can be devastating and present life-altering consequences for injured victims and their families. Due to the nature of helicopters, many collision victims are either catastrophically injured or killed. A helicopter crash, like the one in the Sierra National Forest, can happen for a variety of reasons, some which can be attributed to negligence. The National Transportation Safety Board may determine that poor helicopter maintenance, human error, or flying with an unsafe load contributed to this helicopter accident in California. If this is the case, then qualifying family members of the deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Other factors investigators may consider is whether the helicopter’s gearboxes, engines, or main rotor heads failed and why.

The trial attorneys at the law firm of Panish, Shea & Boyle have extensive experience holding potentially liable parties accountable in helicopter and aviation accidents. Our track record of success in wrongful death and aviation accident cases is unmatched and our helicopter crash attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help helicopter injury victims and their families throughout the state of California and beyond. We understand the many tragic affects a helicopter crash may impose upon a family, which is why we are dedicated to helping our clients receive full and just compensation for their loss and financial difficulties. To learn more about Panish, Shea & Boyle’s many achievements in aviation law, please visit www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com or call 1-800-591-8116 for a free consultation of your case.

Source:http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sierra-crash6-2010jan06,0,1206170.story