The family of a teenage survivor of a 2008 helicopter crash that killed four, insist that the accident was a result of negligence, in spite of a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicating otherwise. The Anchorage Daily News reports that the boy was an illegitimate passenger aboard the Eurocopter AS-350 B2 that had been chartered by the Alaska Department of Administration Enterprise Technology Systems to transport employees to a telecommunications site for scheduled maintenance. Non-employees are not permitted in state-owned or state-chartered vehicles.
The accident allegedly occurred when the teenager inadvertently knocked a floor-mounted fuel flow lever with his backpack, pushing the lever into the emergency position. His family claims that the helicopter’s operating company, Era Helicopters, failed to install a basic safety mechanism that has been available by the manufacturer “on request” since 2007. The lever guard is not currently required, but such a requirement is currently under consideration. According to the NTSB’s report, at least three other past accidents can be attributed to the fuel flow lever on the vehicle.
Although rare, helicopter accidents often result in serious injuries and death to passengers. The increasing popularity of helicopter travel means that more accidents are likely to occur. Related injuries can be disastrous for victims and their families, producing staggering medical bills, lost income and severe emotional and psychological damage. From 1995-2002, California was the state with the most fatal helicopter injuries, representing 16% of all fatal injuries involving helicopters in the U.S.
The litigation of helicopter accidents is often complex, requiring attorneys with years of experience and the resources necessary to handle this type of lawsuit. Helicopter accident claims require in-depth investigations and skilled legal representation. If you have been injured in a helicopter accident, or if you have lost a loved one, contact the helicopter crash lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP by calling (877) 800-1700 for a free consultation regarding your case.
