San Francisco, California Aviation Accident Attorneys

San Francisco Bay Area · Los Angeles · San Diego · Sacramento · San Jose

Plane crashes, whether of small private planes, commercial jetliners, commuter planes or helicopters, may occur for many reasons: sometimes by pilot error, sometimes by weather, sometimes by improper maintenance, contaminated fuel, product flaws and even air controller negligence. Regardless of the reason for the disaster, the result is almost certain to be fatal for passengers and crew. Our San Francisco, California aviation accident attorneys have represented clients in a host of commercial jet disasters, private plane crashes, and helicopter mishaps. Our staff includes a former Navy pilot who has special skills in the area of aviation – with on the job experience behind the controls. Our team offers clients a proven track record of success in obtaining compensation for those left behind when a plane crash takes the life of a loved one. Our staff has had experience in almost every aspect of liability including defective replacement parts, pilot negligence, air traffic controller error, negligent maintenance, failure to follow safety procedures, and even crashes caused by defective maps, counterfeit replacement parts and fuel contamination. Although major airline crashes usually garner the headlines, in truth, most air crashes involve general aviation flights, which include privately owned and operated aircraft. In addition to pilot negligence, our attorneys are able to investigate design features in certain model planes which make them more likely than others to suffer handling failures which may precipitate a crash. Our attorneys have experience in working hand-in-hand with government investigators of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as well as with local and State investigators. Because government-based investigations often take years or more to be completed, we often commission an independent investigation on behalf of our clients as soon as possible after the crash, and move swiftly to identify potentially liable parties. If you have lost a loved one in a plane crash, or an aviation mishap of any kind, the Walkup aviation team headed by a former military pilot is ready to help.

EXAMPLES OF OUR SUCCESS

Helicopter Crash – $3,100,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

Our San Francisco, California aviation accident attorneys negotiated a settlement in the amount of $3,131,000 on behalf of the heirs of a 41-year-old helicopter ski guide who was killed when the helicopter in which he and three clients were riding crashed in the Ruby Mountains. Our attorneys were able to prove, with the assistance of specialists in aviation accident reconstruction, that the crash was caused by a flameout in the helicopter’s jet engine as a result of defective design of its air inlets. Our attorneys also proved that the company which chartered the helicopter was negligent in its maintenance procedures and its failure to install proper engine inlet covers whenever the helicopter was grounded in snowy conditions. Our clients included the surviving wife and 2-year-old son of the deceased.

Private Plane Crash – $3,000,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

Our California aviation litigators obtained a $3,000,000 settlement on behalf of the widow and two surviving children of a 45-year-old missionary who died in a plane crash in Mexico. While traveling on a missionary relief effort, the cam shaft gear broke in the plane which the decedent was piloting. Our attorneys successfully brought a wrongful death claim against the manufacturers of the engine, demonstrating that the engine contained both design and manufacturing flaws. Although our client’s husband attempted an emergency landing, he was unable to find a suitable place to safely land the craft. The plane struck a forested area before it reached the ground and the decedent lost his life.

Commercial Air Crash – $2,000,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

Our San Francisco airline litigation lawyers obtained a settlement in excess of $2,000,000 on behalf of the grandparents of a 7-year-old child who died on Alaska Airlines Flight #261 when the plane crashed en route from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to San Francisco. Our aviation team, working in conjunction with attorneys for other plaintiffs in the case, was able to prove that Alaska did not take all necessary measures to perform required maintenance, overlooked signs of potential problems, and thereby assumed responsibility for the deaths, as modified by the terms of the Warsaw Convention. Our attorneys also claimed that the Alaska pilots failed to immediately seek permission to land when the crew first noted difficulty in operation of the aircraft, that Alaska failed to remove or repair the jack screw assembly of the tail as required by good and sound maintenance practices, and failed to provide necessary and appropriate training to the flight crew.

Contact Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger for a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced San Francisco, California aviation accident attorneys.