Airplane & Helicopter Crashes
Understanding the General Aviation Revitalization Act – (GARA)
The General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 (GARA) is a federal law that imposes an 18-year statute of repose on product liability lawsuits against general aviation aircraft manufacturers. Unlike a statute of limitations, which begins when an injury occurs or is discovered, a statute of repose bars claims after a fixed time, regardless of…
Read MoreThe Ongoing Challenge of Runway Excursions
Runway excursions, when an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway, remain a persistent safety issue in aviation. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), these incidents account for 23% of all commercial aviation accidents worldwide. The FAA reports over 1,300 runway incursions and excursions annually in the U.S., underscoring the need for stronger…
Read MoreFinding Support After Aviation Tragedies
In the wake of recent aviation accidents, many families are left grappling with sudden loss, grief, and unanswered questions. The emotional toll of these tragedies can be overwhelming, and finding the proper support is crucial for those affected. For nearly three decades, AirCraft Casualty Emotional Support Services (ACCESS) has been a lifeline for those who…
Read MoreAirline Liability for Personal Injury: The Montreal Convention and International Passenger Rights
If you are injured while a passenger on an international flight, you have certain rights and protections against the airline. The Montreal Convention, or MC 1999, is an international treaty that establishes airline liability in the case of passenger death or injury and helps ensure passengers are compensated following an airline tragedy. A passenger can…
Read MoreDid You Know? Aircraft Door Plugs
Did you know? A door plug is a piece of metal shaped like a door used to fill the space that an aircraft door would otherwise take. There has been a lot of media attention about “door plugs” since a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing Max 9 aircraft on…
Read MoreDid You Know? Airline Cabin Depressurization
Did you know that all airliners and private jets have pressurized cabins that permit passengers to ride comfortably at high altitudes without oxygen masks? Most airliners fly at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet to avoid weather and improve operating efficiency. Do you know how long you can survive without oxygen if the cabin suddenly…
Read MoreDid You Know? Clear Air Turbulence
Did you Know? Clear Air Turbulence is Sudden Severe Turbulence Unrelated to Storms? This week, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence over the Andaman Sea resulting in the death of a passenger and serious injuries to other passengers. Over 80 passengers required hospitalization after the pilots made an emergency landing…
Read MoreDid you know? Federal Aviation Regulations
Did you know that the comprehensive Federal Aviation Regulations may have been inspired by the work of a city attorney in a small Florida town that had no airplanes? In 1908, P.A. Vans Agnew, city attorney in Kissimmee, Florida, drafted the first law of its kind in a city ordinance that restricted low flights…
Read MoreThe Montreal Convention and International Passenger Rights
International airline passengers are protected under the Montreal Convention, and unfortunately, many people are unaware this treaty exists. The Montreal Convention can protect passengers when serious situations arise that are the fault of the airline, such as if a passenger is injured or dies. The Montreal Convention, or MC 1999, is an international treaty that…
Read MoreAugust 19 Is National Aviation Day – Celebrating the Power of Flight
August 19th is National Aviation Day in the United States. It is an annual celebration of the history and invention of aviation. It is a day to reflect on the power of flight, in all its capacities. August 19th also happens to be the birth date of Orville Wright. Orville, along with his brother Wilbur,…
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