• Approximately 80 percent of all plane crashes occur shortly before or after takeoff or landing due to human error or mechanical failures.
• According to an aviation accident survey of nearly 2,200 plane crashes from 1950 to 2004, the number one cause of aviation accidents is pilot error, which results in 45 percent of accidents. Undetermined causes: 33 percent. Mechanical failure: 13 percent.
• In 2005, there were a total of 1,764 aviation accidents in the United States that resulted in 600 fatalities. Low-level maneuvering of an aircraft was the leading cause of fatal aviation accidents from 1998 to 2004.
• In 2004, more than 70 percent of all plane crashes that ended in serious injury or fatality occurred during a personal flight. General aviation accidents occur more frequently than airline or business aviation accidents.
• The most recent statistics on midair collisions has shown a steady decline. In 2004, there were 10 midair accidents resulting in 10 fatalities compared to 11 collisions in 2003 with 23 deaths.

Some of the most common causes of aviation accidents include:

• pilot error,
• negligence by a flight service employee or air traffic controller,
• faulty equipment or mechanical failure,
• weather,
• and sabotage.
• Violations of Federal Aviation Administration safety regulations and aviation law are also a frequent cause of aviation accidents.

The primary responsibility of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is to improve transportation safety, which it accomplishes by carrying out independent investigations and then making safety recommendations.

As part of this duty, the NTSB serves two crucial functions for aviation accident victims and their loved ones:

• To organize federal services provided to accident victims and their families

• To ensure that friends and family of accident victims receive the latest and most accurate information

The NTSB does NOT, however, explain to victims their legal rights. Nor is it the agency’s function to protect those rights. If you have lost a loved one or been injured in an aviation accident, the best way to ensure that your legal rights are protected is to contact a qualified aviation accident attorney.

NTSB Accident Investigations

The NTSB conducts investigations for all civil aviation accidents to determine their probable cause(s). Investigations typically take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete – the end result of which is a NTSB accident report detailing the circumstances and probable cause of the accident as well as any safety recommendations.

NTSB accident reports as a whole are not admissible evidence, even though the facts compiled therein are. Even so, individuals who bring legal action against responsible parties are still required to meet the burden of proof. For this reason, victims of aviation accidents should consider retaining an aviation attorney who can help conduct private investigations. An experienced aviation attorney can:

• Interview witnesses
• Review facts and evidence
• Collect and preserve evidence

Individuals who have lost loved ones or been injured in an aviation accident cannot depend on government agencies, including the NTSB, to protect their legal rights.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an aviation accident, you may wish to seek the early advice of a qualified aviation attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to seek monetary compensation for your losses and suffering. Please contact us today for a FREE consultation with one of our experienced aviation attorneys.

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