Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

RENO, NEVADA - Reno police reported Tuesday that one of the nation's deadliest air racing disasters claimed it's eleventh victim. Chief Master Sergeant Alan Ogata, a member of the Hawaii Air National Guard who was showcasing a plane at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, described Friday's tragic airplane crash as "worse than a battle scene." Ogata and others from Hawaii helped administered first aid after a WWII-era plane plummeted into grandstands filled with spectators during one of the show's competitions. The September 16, 2011 crash also left more than 70 people suffering from various types of injuries, including catastrophic, life-threatening injuries.

Cause of the Reno Air Show Aviation Disaster

At this time, authorities do not know why the fighter plane crashed and are currently conducting an investigation. It was recently revealed that the pilot of the P-51 Mustang, veteran air racer Jimmy Leeward, had modified the plane beyond recognition to increase its speed. According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, Leeward had taken a full 10 feet off the wingspan and cut approximately 28 inches off the back edges of the wing. Investigators are looking into whether or not the modifications made by Leeward could have played a role in the accident.

Aviation Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in the Reno National Championship Air Race disaster, you would be well advised to speak with a Nevada air show accident lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger. As seasoned advocates of those seriously injured in accidents caused through no fault of their own, we can help you recover injury expenses. We have recovered money for victims' medical bills, lost earnings from missed time at work, and pain and suffering. Our team of Reno air show accident attorneys, which includes a veteran pilot, have also recovered compensation for clients who have suffered a tragic loss. We will work tirelessly to see justice served on our clients' behalf.

Continue reading "Reno Air Show Disaster Death Toll Reaches 11" »

A pilot and a weapons officer have been killed in a fighter jet crash that occurred near Fresno on April 6. According to a Visalia-Times Delta article, the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet was taking a training flight when it collided at 12:08 p.m. on a farm approximately a half mile west of the base, not very far from the Fresno County border. The commanding officer of Naval Air Station Lemoore stated that since the plane crashed in a cleared field, no one on the ground suffered injuries and no major property damage took place. The names of the individuals killed in the aircraft accident have not been disclosed pending family members being notified.

An investigation of this fatal aviation accident will reportedly take a month or more to establish what led to the crash. A spokeswoman for Naval Air Forces in Colorado said it wasn't clear at this time if anyone aboard the Super Hornet had told air traffic controllers about any problems occurring before the collision or if aviators aboard tried to eject themselves from the aircraft.

According to the article, while the commanding officer stated that the plane involved in the crash was the newest Strike Fighter in the Navy's inventory, officials with the Navy and the Boeing Company (the aircraft's manufacturer) said they were not aware of the age of the plane or the basic ages of the fleet at the Naval Air Station Lemoore.

The findings of the fatal aviation accident investigation will be used not only to establish the cause, but also to make suggestions to senior service officials to help prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.

As this story demonstrates, aviation accidents can be devastating; occurring unexpectedly and taking people's lives without warning. If a plane crash is determined to have been caused by negligence, either on the part of aircraft manufacturers, owners, those in charge of maintenance, pilots, or air traffic controllers, individuals who suffer injury and family members of those killed may be able to seek compensation. Fresno plane crash attorneys make it their priority to conduct thorough investigations of aviation accidents to ensure that clients' rights are protected and justice is obtained.

Continue reading "Fighter Jet Crash Near Fresno Kills Two" »