Injured In An Aviation Accident?
Air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation. Although aviation accidents in Tennessee are far less frequent than vehicle accidents, they usually involve more people, cause more injuries and fatalities, involve larger and more expensive equipment, and spur unparalleled insurance disputes. Aviation accidents can not only be disastrous for the occupants of the airplane or helicopter but also for those at the site of an accident. A commercial airliner could decimate multiple city blocks if it crashes in a residential area.
Causes of Aviation Accidents
Generally, aviation accident causes fall under the following categories:
- Human Error
- Meteorological Conditions
- Mechanical Malfunctions
Various factors within each of these categories may contribute to an aviation accident. A mechanical malfunction caused by defective equipment or parts may cause an airplane to lose engine power on takeoff. Faulty navigation could cause a plane to crash into a mountain. A fuel leak could lead to a fire on takeoff or emergency landing due to insufficient fuel. A fatigued or negligent pilot may attempt an unsafe landing or collide with another plane in midair. Extreme weather, such as gusty winds, torrential rains, or heavy snow, may alter a plane’s course during takeoff or landing. Any of these scenarios could result in property damage, passenger and employee injuries, and potential fatalities.
Regulating Airplanes, Helicopters, and Airports
Strict federal and international regulations are in place to increase safety and help prevent aviation accidents. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) establishes rules for air carriers and operators, pilots, flight and ground instructors, and commercial space transportation. These include certification requirements, hazardous materials regulations, general operating and flight rules, operating requirements for domestic, flag, and supplemental operations, and rules governing persons on board such aircraft. International regulations and standards are established through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Investigating Aviation Accidents
After a civil aviation accident in the United States, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) typically conducts an investigation into the cause or causes of the incident. Though a U.S. agency, the NTSB also investigates overseas accidents in collaboration with local authorities if the incident involves a U.S.-registered aircraft, an aircraft built by an American company, or if the incident results in a significant loss of American lives.
The complexity of federal and international rules and regulations concerning air travel makes resolving an aviation incident challenging. Depending on the location and circumstances of the accident, different laws may apply. Various individuals or entities may be implicated in an aviation crash, including parts manufacturers, pilots, maintenance crews, airplane or airline owners, and even passengers who may be held accountable for the crash and any resulting injuries or fatalities.
