Airplane Accident

About Airplane Accident

The number of airplane crashes appears to be on the rise. The total number of accidents involving commercial flights in 2010 was 29 accidents. At the time of this article there has already been 20 crashes this year, 16 of those involved fatalities. The number of passengers and crew killed on commercial airplane flights increased by 47 deaths from 654 in 2009 to 801 deaths in 2010. In 2008 the number of deaths was 493.

Commercial airplane travel, while still considered safe, is not immune to human error, negligence or corporate mistakes often the result of cost cutting measures. The 4 most recent crashes remind us of the seriousness of airplane accidents:

• July 30 - Several were injured when a Caribbean airplane broke in 2 after over running the runway upon landing.
• August 8 - 12 were injured when a Russian airplane carrying 36 also over ran the runway upon landing. 
• August 9 - 11 people were killed on another Russian airplane due to an engine fire. 
• August 20 - 12 of the 15 passengers aboard a First Air Boing 737 crashed in Canada.

Accidents on airplanes can be organized into a few categories. Weather related, Mechanical related, Pilot Error, Other Human Error and Sabotage. Other Human Error refers to Air Traffic Controller errors, improper loading of aircraft, fuel contamination and improper maintenance procedures. Sabotage includes explosive devices, shoot downs and hijackings. Many incidents, while a result of other circumstances, may have been made worse by Pilot negligence. Weather related Pilot Error represents accidents in which the pilot's improper handling of bad weather led to an accident. Mechanical related Pilot Errors are accidents in which mechanical errors were compounded by the poor judgment or mistakes of the Pilot.

Airplane Accidents often result in death. The loss of life can cause distress to many more than the people directly involved in the accident. Unfortunately, if a passenger or pilot survives an airplane crash, they often sustain permanently life changing injuries. Common injuries include head, brain or spinal cord injuries, burn or severe disfigurement. The number of these injuries is continuing to rise.

All commercial airlines profiting from passenger travel need to be held accountable for errors leading to accidents. Aviation law is complicated and is governed by International Conventions, Commonwealth legislation, State legislation and regulations. Knowing your rights following an Airplane Accident is essential to ensure your ability to retain full compensation for your injuries and other damage.

Conditions Caused By Airplane Accident

Airplane Safety

Currently there are only 5 independent organizations reviewing airplane safety, policies and procedures.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established a Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program comprised of regular, mandatory, systematic and harmonized safety audits. Personnel licensing, operation of aircraft, airworthiness and implementation of the safety oversight system is reviewed. As well ICAO Standards, recommended practices, associated procedures, guidance material and safety-related practices are examined.

FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) focuses on a country's ability, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. The standards are established by the United Nation's technical agency for aviation and the ICAO.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Program is designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.

The EU publishes a Community list (EU Blacklist) of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the European Community. Bans and operational restrictions are only imposed based on evidence of violation of objective and transparent criteria.

European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA)
promotes international civil aviation by providing inspections of foreign aircraft by the participating countries.

Cases, Settlements, & Verdicts

Claims arising from the February 12, 2009 crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 in Clarence Center, New York are currently in litigation. The plane stalled less than a mile northeast while on approach to the runway and crashed into a house in the northeast Buffalo suburb of Clarence Center. A total of 50 people were killed including the two pilots, two flight attendants, 45 passengers, and one person in the house into which the plane crashed.

The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that cause of the crash was pilot error. The Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster has exposed serious safety problems associated with regional airlines' operations.

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