Aviation accidents are among the most complex personal injury cases. Our attorneys understand both the law and the skies.
Modern aircraft are marvels of design and technology, and they’re safer than ever. Millions of Americans enjoy the pleasures of piloting their own planes, usually small.
And we understand these pleasures. Our senior partner, Michael Kelly, has been a licensed pilot for decades.
However, there are still many dangers associated with these small aircraft, many of which are out of the control of pilots and ground support personnel. A seemingly tiny flaw in the design or manufacture of an airplane can put the lives of every soul on-board in danger.
Our aircraft accident lawyers have decades of experience handling these complex, tragic accidents. We help victims and their families pursue the compensation they deserve.
If you were hurt in an aircraft accident or if you lost a family member in one of these accidents in the South Bay area of California, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation.
What Is an Aviation Accident Lawsuit?
An aviation accident lawsuit is a civil claim filed by injured victims or surviving family members after a crash involving a commercial airline, private aircraft, helicopter, or charter plane.
Unlike standard vehicle accident cases, aviation litigation involves federal regulatory oversight by the FAA and NTSB, potential international treaties for commercial airline accidents, and multiple defendants across the manufacturing, maintenance, and operational chain.
An aircraft accident lawyer in Los Angeles from Kirtland & Packard navigates all of it.
Types of Aircraft Accidents We Handle
We represent victims and families injured in all categories of aviation incidents throughout Los Angeles and Southern California:
- Commercial airline accidents: Crashes, emergency landings, turbulence injuries, and in-flight incidents involving major and regional carriers
- Private plane crashes: General aviation accidents involving pilot error, mechanical failure, or air traffic control issues
- Helicopter accidents: Tour, charter, medical transport, and private helicopter crashes throughout the Los Angeles area
- Charter and air tour accidents: Sightseeing flights, charter services, and aerial tour operators
- Airport and ground crew accidents: Injuries occurring on tarmacs, in hangars, and during ground operations
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
Our aircraft accident attorney team in Los Angeles investigates every contributing factor:
- Pilot error: Failure to follow FAA procedures, poor weather judgment, and inadequate training
- Mechanical failure: Engine failures, structural defects, and avionics malfunctions caused by manufacturing defects or inadequate maintenance
- Air traffic control errors: Miscommunication, improper sequencing, and failure to warn of known hazards
- Maintenance negligence: Improper repairs, missed inspections, and failure to follow FAA-mandated maintenance schedules
- Defective aircraft components: Design or manufacturing defects in airframes, engines, or safety systems
- Weather-related negligence: Dispatching aircraft into known hazardous conditions in violation of FAA regulations
Aircraft Litigation Is Exceptionally Complicated
Pursuing a claim against an airplane manufacturer or some other responsible party as a result of an aircraft accident is more complicated than most people understand. Even the simplest of small, one-person personal aircraft is a complex machine with countless moving parts- which is to say, there are countless possible points of failure.
Aside from the mechanical complexities involved with aircraft accidents, there are also statutory concerns. The General Aviation Revitalization Act, passed by Congress in the mid-1990’s, imposes limitations on liability for the manufacturers of airplanes and airplane parts.
At Kirtland & Packard, LLP, we have the kind of grasp over the technical and legal issues that can only be achieved through extensive, hands-on experience. We have successfully pursued cases against:
- Aircraft manufacturers
- Parts manufacturers
- Negligent individuals
Aircraft accidents are obviously devastating. A catastrophic personal injury is, sadly, just about the best case scenario in many of these crashes. Quite often, we have to represent family members of accident victims in a wrongful death suit.
We urge you to contact us as soon as possible if you were hurt in an aircraft accident or if you lost a family member to such an accident.
Why Aviation Accident Cases Are Different
Aviation litigation operates under a distinct legal framework. Key factors include:
- Federal regulatory oversight: The FAA sets safety standards for pilot conduct, aircraft manufacturing, and flight operations. FAA regulation violations are central to establishing negligence.
- NTSB investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board investigates every civil aviation accident in the United States. Its factual findings are foundational to civil litigation strategy under 49 CFR Part 835.
- Multiple liable parties: A single accident can involve the manufacturer, maintenance provider, operator, charter company, and air traffic control simultaneously.
Our legal team includes an attorney who holds an FAA Air Transport Pilot Certificate, the highest civilian FAA rating, bringing firsthand aviation knowledge to crash investigations and litigation.
If you’re a resident of Redondo Beach, Torrance, South Bay, or a surrounding Los Angeles County community and you need an experienced aircraft accident lawyer, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file an aircraft accident lawsuit?
Injured passengers, surviving crew members, and families of those killed may all have standing. Wrongful death claims are available to eligible surviving family members under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. A Los Angeles construction accident lawyer handles ground-level injury claims, while our aviation practice focuses on aircraft injury and death cases across Southern California.
How do I prove liability in an aviation accident case?
Liability requires showing a duty of care was owed and breached through negligence or a defect, and that the breach caused the accident and injuries. FAA regulatory violations, NTSB factual findings, maintenance records, pilot logs, black box data, and expert testimony from aviation engineers are central to building a case. We secure evidence before it disappears.
What damages can I recover after an aviation accident?
Medical expenses, future care costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and, in wrongful death cases, loss of companionship and financial support. In cases involving reckless or willful misconduct, punitive damages may also be available. An aircraft accident attorney in Los Angeles calculates the full scope of losses before any settlement is evaluated.
Who can be held liable in an aviation accident?
Potentially liable parties include the aircraft manufacturer, component suppliers, maintenance providers, the operator or charter company, the pilot, air traffic controllers, and, in some cases, the FAA itself under the Federal Tort Claims Act. A Los Angeles employment discrimination lawyer handles workplace claims separately, while our aviation team pursues every responsible party across the full liability chain.