In Florida, the priority in a plane crash litigation is to determine the cause of the crash and determine who was at fault.
This means examining evidence for common causes of a plane crash, such as:
- Pilot error. Even though today’s aircraft technology uses some of the most sophisticated computer systems, the pilots still control the aircraft. It is why pilot error is the cause of nearly half of all plane crashes. These errors can include improper use of the controls, insufficient programming, and underestimating fuel expenditures.
- Mechanical failure. The aircraft manufacturing process involves thousands of individual parts, and the failure of any one of those parts can result in a catastrophic accident. Plane crash investigation tries to reconstruct the plane from the destroyed parts to determine the root cause of any mechanical failure incident.
- Severe weather. Modern planes are equipped to fly even in poor weather conditions, but a severe storm can ground and delay flights across the entire U.S. Even though the weather might be a significant contributing factor in a plane accident, there’s a decision made by the airlines, pilots, and air traffic controllers to consider.
- Human error. It’s not just pilots who are responsible for a safe flight. Aircraft service personnel like mechanics, ground crew, and air traffic controllers are also responsible. The negligence in the duty of any one of these airline personnel can lead to a crash.
The increasing role of pilot error in aircraft incidents
Legal assistance aids in establishing the pilot's liability for the crash by evaluating whether the pilot's actions departed from the expected standard of care in aviation and played a role in the occurrence of the accident. Still, there are some facts to take into consideration when it comes to plane crashes due to pilot errors:
- Pilot error accounts for approximately 50% of crashes, even if aircraft reliability continuously improves.
- Every stage of the flight demands meticulous attention from pilots, highlighting the need for efficient human resources management.
- Opportunities for errors exist, ranging from incorrect programming of vital flight-management computers to miscalculations in fuel requirements.
- Despite regrettable mistakes, it is crucial to recognize pilots as the final line of defense in catastrophic situations.
- If the pilot survives a crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducts interviews for investigation.
- If the pilot doesn't survive, a thorough examination of black box data and documentation of evidence is necessary to understand the pilot's actions leading to the accident.
- Despite the consequences, pilot errors contribute to continual safety improvements in the aviation industry.
