Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is still missing. Before filing any lawsuits, the families of those missing would certainly prefer to know what happened. But with a strict two year statute of limitations set to expire tomorrow, the families have to
Aviation Law Monitor
Insight and Commentary on aviation accidents and the law
The Aviation Law Monitor, published by Danko Meredith, focuses on legal issues related to aviation accidents and incidents. It covers topics such as liability and negligence in aircraft crashes, the application of the Federal Tort Claims Act in lawsuits against the military and air traffic control, aircraft certification and airworthiness concerns, and the investigation of aviation accidents by the National Transportation Safety Board. The blog discusses legal challenges arising from pilot errors, mechanical failures, air traffic control procedures, and regulatory compliance. It also addresses the complexities of suing government entities and the nuances of aviation safety regulations.
Latest from Aviation Law Monitor - Page 6
Pearl Harbor Helicopter Crash: Settling with Power?
By Mike Danko
Today a Bell helicopter crashed into Pearl Harbor near the Arizona Memorial. Reports are that everyone survived. Some are saying the helicopter experienced engine failure. Unlikely. Instead, the pilot probably experienced “settling with power.” That’s…
Passengers Fall Ill on American Airlines Flight 109: Another Fume Event?
By Mike Danko
American Airlines Flight 109, traveling from London to Los Angeles, was two hours into its flight when passengers and crew members suddenly started fainting or otherwise becoming ill. The captain turned the Boeing 777 around and landed at Heathrow. …
Piper Turbo Lance Crash in Bakersfield: Icing?
By Mike Danko
Piper N36402 departed Reid-Hillview Airport for Las Vegas as it was getting dark. The pilot had his wife and three children on board. Though the weather was challenging, the aircraft was turbocharged, which would have allowed the pilot to climb…
SkyLife HEMS Crash and Weather
By Mike Danko
The SkyLife Bell 407 air ambulance helicopter departed from Porterville Airport at 6:52. It crashed minutes later, halfway into its 50 mile flight to San Joaquin Hospital in Bakersfield. The four aboard will killed, including the patient being transported. The…
Russian Flight KGL9268: Former NTSB Investigator Says Missile Brought Airbus Down
By Mike Danko
A few days ago, most were saying it’s too early to tell what brought down the Russian Airbus that crashed on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 aboard. Now, there’s talk of the aircraft being downed by a bomb.…
EMS Industry Leader Commits to Retrofitting Helicopter Fleet with Crashworthy Fuel Systems
By Mike Danko
Earlier this summer, the NTSB asked the FAA to require helicopter manufactures to equip all new aircraft with crashworthy fuel systems. If history is any guide, we can expect the FAA to ignore that recommendation, despite that the FAA…
Van’s Aircraft Company Sued
By Mike Danko
Experimental amateur-built aircraft crash more often than those assembled in a factory. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that, when compared to factory-built aircraft used in similar flight operations, amateur-built aircraft crash three times as often. Our own National Transportation Safety…
Air Traffic Control: “Where in God’s Name are You Going?”
By Mike Danko
In the end, no harm done. But certainly an example of an air traffic controller having a bad day. Note: at 32 seconds the controller assigns the Challenger a heading of 180.
Boy Injured by Plane that Landed on Beach Sues
By Mike Danko
Nicholas Baer was body boarding in Carlsbad on the Fourth of July when a plane towing a banner crash-landed on the beach and injured him. The twelve-year-old is now suing the pilot and the company that owns the Piper that…