Aviation Disaster

More than 40 people have been injured in an American Airlines airplane crash.  Flight #331 from Miami skidded across a runway in Jamaica on the night of December 22, 2009. With 148 passengers and a crew of 6 onboard, the Boeing 737-800 airplane experienced heavy turbulence throughout the flight, and then uncontrollably slid along the tarmac in the heavy rain while landing. According to a report, U.S. investigators will determine whether or not the plane should have been landing in such inclement weather, even if other planes had landed safely in the downpour.

Approximately 44 people were transported to hospitals complaining of injuries like back pains and broken bones while four were considered seriously injured. Although two of the accident victims were admitted to the hospital, American Airlines said that nobody endured life-threatening injuries. In relaying what happened aboard the plane, one passenger stated, “All of a sudden, when it hit the ground, the plane was kind of bouncing…someone said that plane was skidding and there was panic.” Apparently, the aircraft came to a halt along a grassy embankment just 10 to 15 feet from the Caribbean.

The result of the skidded impact of the landing caused the left landing gear to crush and the fuselage to crack open in two “significant” spots, separating both engines from the plane. An airline spokesman said that as a safety measure, the engines are designed to separate from the wings during an accident.

The devastating consequences of a crash landing can be catastrophic and leave innocent passengers with serious injuries that may take months, if not years, to fully recover from. In the most tragic of aviation disasters and crash landings, some passengers may be killed, leaving their families to mourn and cope with the loss of a loved one in addition to financial hardship.

The skilled aviation disaster attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully navigate the complicated world of aviation law. Our attorneys have successfully represented clients injured in accidents that were the result of  mechanical failure due to the use of defective or improperly maintained airline equipment as well as accidents that were the result of errors made by pilots or aviation staff. Our track record of success in aviation accident litigation is well established and can be viewed on our website. If you have been injured in a plane accident or crash landing, contact Panish, Shea & Boyle for a case consultation or visit our aviation accident website for more information on how the trial attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle can help you.

Aviation Accident Website: http://www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com/.

The first deadly commercial plane crash since 2006 occurred last night, Thursday, January 12, 2009, when a commuter plane fell into an eastern Buffalo suburban home, according to an Associated Press news story. The fiery crash killed 49 aboard and one person in the house.  Two others were also in the home but survived with minor injuries.

The crew of the Continental Connection Flight 3407 from Newark, N.J., became aware of significant ice buildup on the wings and windshield right before the plane began pitching and rolling violently, leading to its flaming crash. Officials have stated that the cause of this aviation disaster has not been determined just yet; however, ice on a plane’s wings has been responsible for many major air catastrophes in the past.

Official reports state that the plane was new and had a clean safety record. The plane went through a “severe pitch and roll” experience after positioning its flaps for landing, said Steve Chealander, spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board.

Doug Hartmayer, a spokesman for Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which runs the airport, said: “The plane simply dropped off the radar screen.”

One witness who drove to the site said, “All we were seeing was 50- to 100-foot flames and a pile of rubble on the ground. It looked like the house just got destroyed the instant it got hit.”

The report confirmed a 9/11 widow was on board the plane.  She was heading to Buffalo for a celebration of what would have been her husband’s 58th birthday.

Continental Airlines said relatives and friends of those on Flight 3407 can call a special family assistance number, 1-800-621-3263 for information.

The attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle are highly accomplished in complex aviation disaster cases.  Our attorneys have taken leadership roles in many high-profile plane crash cases. We represent clients throughout the U.S. and the world and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Please contact us for more information.