On the morning of Sunday, July 30, 2023, a Beechraft P35 crashed during Departure at Cable Airport in Upland in San Bernardino County, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Initial information from the San Bernardino County Fire Department indicated that the fire department arrived on the scene due to a fire at an aircraft hangar that was reported at around 6:40 a.m. There was a separate call to emergency services stating that a small aircraft had crashed into a hangar.
The affected hanger is used by the Ontario Police Department as storage for air support units. According to reports, none of their vehicles or aircrafts were damaged in the incident.
A man who lives near the airport said that this is not the first crash that occurs at the airport; however, this is the first major incident that leaves multiple fatalities.
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the incident. Although three fatalities have been confirmed, the identities of the victims have not been released.
This incident has the community mourning. However, the incident has also resulted in many different questions, including some of the following:
- Why do these incidents keep happening at Cable Airport?
- Is there a design problem with the airport that contributes to these incidents?
- How can these incidents be reduced?
- Who is liable for the harm or damage resulting from these incidents?
- Can the family of victims file wrongful death claims?
These are all important questions.
It is possible that these incidents continue to happen because of a design issue at the airport or because of the negligence of other entities, some of which could include pilot training schools, plane rental companies, and even plane manufacturers, for example.
If you are interested in exploring the legal options available to you and your family, we recommend that you seek legal assistance with the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible. Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our team is more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to understand the legal options available to you. You could have the right to sue; you could also have the right to recover monetary compensation. For more information about the legal options available to you, contact us today.
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Who Is Liable for Airplane Crashes?
In the incident discussed above, the crash occurred during take-off or departure. The circumstances of the incident are still being investigated, so it is not possible to determine exactly who is liable for the three deaths and the damage to the hanger.
Although we cannot know for certain until the investigation is concluded, we can discuss different situations in which different parties or entities could be found liable. Consider the following examples below:
- The airport is liable – this can be the case if there is a faulty design at the airport. For example, if the runway is too short or if the hangars are too close to the runway, then the airport owners could be liable. In general, the airports are owned by city or county entities.
- The pilot company or training company is liable – these companies can be responsible under different circumstances. Pilot companies that offer pilots for hire can be liable for incidents if they failed to ensure that their pilots have the necessary qualifications to safely operate aircrafts. Training companies can be liable if they fail to properly train their pilots or even allow their pilots to operate aircrafts before they are ready to do so. In some cases, the pilot company and training company (or pilot school) is the same entity.
- The airplane manufacturer is liable – if the incident can be traced back to a defect in the aircraft (whether it’s a defect in labeling, design, or manufacturing), then the manufacturer could be liable. This is under the concept of product liability, which states that product manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are completely safe for use.
After an incident, it is important to figure out the cause of the incident to be able to establish liability. Only then can affected parties pursue claims. Depending on the details surrounding the incident, affected parties could pursue injury claims or wrongful death claims.
Injuries Resulting from Airplane Crashes
Airplane crashes and incidents involving any sort of aircraft, in general, are likely to result in severe injuries. Some of these injuries can include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Severed limbs
- Impaling injuries
- Burn injuries
Although some crashes can be minor and leave victims with fractures at most, all incidents involving aircrafts can potentially have devastating consequences. If you or a loved one suffered harm in an incident involving an aircraft, you could certainly have grounds to sue. It is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible to learn more about the legal options available to you.
Can I Recover Compensation?
Yes – you could be entitled to recover compensation. Although every claim is different, some of the compensation that you could be eligible to receive could include the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost earnings or loss of support
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
- Legal fees
Ultimately, the specific type and amount of compensation that you can receive will be strictly based on the details surrounding your claim. How much can I case be worth? Case values can vary significantly from case to case. Airplane accident cases can be worth anywhere from $150,000 to $5 million – again, depending on the details surrounding the case. Here at our law firm, our legal team is fully committed to ensuring that our clients get the compensation that they are owed. Our team is ready to fight for your rights to recover the highest settlement available.
How Long Do I Have to Sue?
In California, injury claims and wrongful death claims, both, are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means that claimants only have two years to file their claims. If claimants fail to file their claims on time, then they can lose their right to sue entirely. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the statute of limitations, and any possible exceptions, that applies to your claim, contact the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible.
Contact the Normandie Law Firm Today
Three people lost their lives in the plane crash at Cable Airport. Although the incident remains under investigation, it is possible that the family of the deceased have grounds to file a lawsuit. For more information about the legal options available to you, we recommend that you seek legal assistance with the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible. Our legal team is more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights and hold the liable parties or entities accountable. Here at our law firm, we offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions, address your concerns, and provide you with the guidance that you need to begin or continue your claim.
Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that our clients never have to worry about paying upfront legal costs for our legal services. In addition, our law firm works on contingency; therefore, our clients will never be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services.
If you are ready to speak with our plane crash lawyers, contact us today.
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