Who Is Liable for Private Plane Crashes in Texas? Pilot, Operator, or Maintenance Company?

If a private plane crashes in Texas, victims may suffer serious physical injuries (including death), significant financial harm, and emotional pain and suffering. Texas personal injury law follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that multiple parties may be held liable for the incident. Determining who is liable for a plane crash in Texas can be complicated, so speaking with an experienced lawyer can help identify any potentially responsible parties.

The Texas personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw understand the complexities of claims involving private aircraft. Whether your crash was with a commercial charter service or a privately-owned plane, an attorney can help protect your rights, file your claim, and pursue complication. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online for a free case review today!

Liability depends on the facts and evidence of the accident. Texas plane crashes are commonly the result of many contributing factors, not a single mistake made by one party. Some of these parties may include:

• Pilots
• Aircraft owners
• Maintenance companies
• Repair companies
• Aircraft and part manufacturers
• Aircraft operators

Every civil aviation accident in Texas is investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Private plane crash liability may be proven with evidence resulting from those investigations, but the main purpose of the NTSB investigations is to improve air safety. A lawyer may be able to gather additional evidence regarding pilot actions, maintenance records, weather conditions, and aircraft performance when determining what caused the accident.

An attorney may be able to prove that a pilot is liable when there’s evidence showing that their negligent actions contributed to the accident. Examples may include operating an aircraft while fatigued, flying in unsafe weather conditions, or failing to follow aviation regulations. Sometimes, a pilot may make a critical error during takeoff or landing.

When it comes to private plane crash liability, investigators can examine whether the pilot acted reasonably under the circumstances. Even an experienced pilot can make mistakes that put people at risk. Victims may need to talk to an experienced Texas plane crash liability lawyer to obtain the necessary evidence to build a strong personal injury claim.

Companies that own, lease, or operate aircraft may be held liable for an accident. For example, charter plane crash liability may come into a claim if a company fails to properly train its pilots, follow safety procedures, or maintain its aircraft in a proper, airworthy condition. Businesses involved in flight operations should be held accountable when their negligence contributes to a crash. A lawyer can help investigate a company’s practices and identify any potential safety violations that could have contributed to the accident.

Aircraft require routine inspections and regular maintenance to remain safe for travel. When mechanics or a contracted maintenance facility perform subpar work, the consequences can be catastrophic for Texas victims. Federal regulations establish all standards for aircraft maintenance and identify, specifically, who is authorized to perform maintenance and repairs on certain planes. FAA maintenance regulations clearly lay out these requirements.

When a maintenance provider contributes to a plane crash, victims of the incident have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. Maintenance issues that could lead to liability include:

• Improper repairs
• Untimely or missed inspections
• Failure to repair worn components of the plane
• Inadequate documentation of repairs or maintenance
• Failure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations or procedure

It’s not up to you to determine liability after a private plane crash. One of the lawyers at Carabin Shaw can help you do that. If you or a loved one has been injured, you should read our law firm’s client reviews to learn how we’ve helped other people in your position.

Carabin Shaw offers a free case review, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. You can call us at 1-800-862-1260 anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Someone is available to speak to you in either English or Spanish. You can also contact us online.

For more information:

• PROPORTIONATE RESPONSIBILITY
• NTSB
• FAA