Most air crashes occur in general aviation flights, such as privately-owned and operated aircraft. Crashes result from a wide range of causes, such as pilot negligence, pilot error, poorly designed aircraft, defective parts or faulty maintenance. Litigation involving general aviation accidents will likely focus on a number of possible causes and involve several defendants.

Unlike commercial air carriers, private or general aviators are not required by federal law to maintain a heightened standard of care towards passengers. The law treats a general aviator much like the operator of a motor vehicle, requiring that the pilot use reasonable care to prevent accident or injury

Even in cases where a general aviator agrees to carry a fare-paying passenger, only the common rules of negligence and due care apply with respect to the maintenance and inspection of the aircraft. Like the standard for commercial pilots, the pilot of a private aircraft must still comport with the standards of care and expertise of the average, qualified pilot in the operation of the plane.

After any air crash, legal claims may involve pilot error, faulty manufacture and maintenance, unsafe flying and weather conditions, defective onboard computers or software, or fuel tank explosions.

The challenges of proving causation can be complex. Yet, by applying their wealth of expertise to claims of true merit, the knowledgable attorneys at Slack & Davis have successfully represented clients in a number of challenging cases. At times, general aviation recoveries can be more substantial than typical recoveries from commercial air accidents. Specific results depend on the facts of each case.

Product Liability in Aviation

Slack & Davis attorneys have successfully represented clients in many cases where aircraft crashed due to defective parts or designs that were unreasonably dangerous. When litigating claims against aircraft manufacturers, plaintiff's firms must be well-prepared to match the well-funded legal teams of multimillion dollar corporations.

Read more about our aviation cases.