Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board released an accident report detailing a fatal plane crash. The pilot ignored ice warnings and the plane went down in a wooded area in Ohio. Both the pilot and his passenger died.
About Private Plane Crashes
In 2017, private plane or general aviation activity has raised 2%. According to ABC News, there is an average of five small plane crashes each day, resulting in approximately 500 deaths annually.
Many think flying is safer than driving. For commercial planes, this can be the case. However, this isn’t the case for general aviation or private planes. Last year, almost 500 people died in private plane accidents. This could be due to pilot error, fuel shortage or bad landings. Bad landings are the most common cause of non-fatal private plane accidents. Fatality risk rises with worse weather. If a pilot is using his instruments since he can’t see, the risk actually is greater.
Ice Warnings Crash Report
In the National Transportation Safety Board report, a pilot ignored ice warnings. The pilot along with his passenger died as the plane was destroyed. The pair were on there way from Ohio to Deland, Florida. A farmer reported finding the wreckage around 10 AM in a heavily wooded area.
According to the report, the plane went down due to the loss of lift from ice. The pilot dropped from 4,000 feet to 3,000 feet due to icing. The plane continued to descend. Then, radar was lost about 1,500 feet above the ground. The plane did not have the proper equipment nor was certified for flying in icing conditions. Officers on the scene found two pieces of ice about 25 feet east of the main wreckage. Plus, portions of the wing and pieces of Plexiglass were found in the debris path about 100 feet long. The plane came to rest in an upright position and a post-crash fire consumed a majority of the fuselage and cockpit area. Landing gear and flaps were in the retracted position. The propeller was fractured at the hub with all three blades showing damage.
Get Help after a Plane Crash
A catastrophic plane crash or accident causes mental and physical suffering. Many describe panic, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and survivor’s guilt. These feelings can change a person for the rest of his or her life. This is why it is important to seek the counsel of a knowledgeable complex litigation attorney. We will fight to recover damages owed after this devastating accident. Our consultations are free. Contact us today.