Aviation Accidents

Tennessee aviation accidents made headlines in September and November 2007, and in November 2008. Most of these tragic accidents involve small private planes and helicopters, but major airline crashes are not unknown in Tennessee's history.   The worst aviation disaster in Tennessee's history took place outside Parrotsville, TN in 1964.

 

Attorney B. Keith Williams is a board certified Civil Trial Specialist with a focus on Tennessee aviation accident cases. His firm, Williams Law Group, has set the standard for civil suits in Middle Tennessee through two decades.

 

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The Williams Law Group Focuses Its Aviation Practice on Three General Types of Aviation Accidents:

COMMERCIAL AVIATION ACCIDENTS  (Click here for more info)
PRIVATE AVIATION ACCIDENTS (Click here for more info)
HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS (Click here for more info)

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Not every aviation accident case is the same:

• A helicopter may crash because of a defective part.
• A commercial jet airliner could crash-land because of an equipment malfunction.
• A private airplane may crash because the pilot made a bad judgment.
• A charter plane could go down due to poor maintenance.
• A new aircraft might be destroyed in an accident because it was poorly designed.

 

Aviation accidents, though rare, are often fatal, and the families of victims may not know where to turn when it comes to determining fault, collecting damages, and ensuring that their rights are protected in the aftermath of a crash. It is very important to contact a lawyer whose practice focuses on aviation claims.

 

The same Federal Aviation Administration regulations that apply to commercial carriers may not apply to private aviators, and the laws that apply to plane and helicopter crashes are complicated. If you or your loved one has been involved in an aviation accident, you need to contact an attorney who understands aviation law.

 

From their offices in Nashville and Lebanon, Tennessee, the attorneys at Williams Law Group handle aviation claims for clients statewide.

 

B. Keith Williams has handled claims involving helicopter accidents as well as private airplane and commercial airline crashes. He represented the family of a passenger who died aboard the commercial airliner Comair 5191. The commuter jet crashed in Kentucky after taking off from the wrong runway. Mr. Williams served on the plaintiffs' steering committee and trial team in that suit against Comair and Delta Air Lines.

 

Whether your case involves a large plane, small plane, or a helicopter-whether the aviator is commercial or private-the lawyers at Williams Law Group will act swiftly to determine the correct approach.

 

What do aviation attorneys do for you and your family?

 

• preserve the wreckage for evidence gathering
• interview witnesses
• evaluate liability
• identify jurisdictional issues
• protect your rights during interviews with authorities and insurance representatives

 

 

If you were hurt in a plane or helicopter crash, or if your loved one was killed or injured in an aviation accident while flying into, out of, or over the state of Tennessee...

 

Call 1-866-820-4457 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.

 

We're the best at what we do because we focus on what we do best.

 

B. Keith Williams handles private and commercial aviation cases throughout Tennessee, including the cities of Nashville, Memphis, Jackson, Clarksville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Germantown, and Bartlett.

 

Williams Law Group is located in Nashville and Lebanon, TN, and serves all of Tennessee including the following Middle Tennessee counties, cities and towns:

In Davidson County: Nashville, Lakewood, Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Oak Hill. In Wilson County: Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Watertown. In Putnam County: Cookeville, Algood, Baxter, Monterey. In Rutherford County: Murfreesboro, Eagleville, La Vergne, Smyrna. In Sumner County: Hendersonville, Gallatin, Millersville, Saundersville, Ocana. In Cumberland County: Crossville, Pleasant Hill. In Macon County: Lafayette, Red Boiling Springs. In Smith County: Carthage, South Carthage, Gordonsville. In Dekalb County: Smithville, Alexandria, Dowelltown, Liberty. In White County: Sparta, Doyle. In Trousdale County: Hartsville.

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Blog for Aviation Accidents

• Prominent California Horse Breeder Dies in Plane Crash
• Pilot Dies in Georgia Small Plane Crash
• Two Die When Plane Hits House in Pennsylvania
• A Pilot and His Three Grandchildren Killed in Michigan Plane Crash
• Three Killed in Tulsa, OK Plane Crash
• Plane crash kills four in Arkansas
• Joint Resolution Regarding Criminalization of Aviation Accidents
• Air India Express Flight 812 Crashes Killing 160 On Board
• "Coping with Disasters," (A guidebook to psychosocial intervention)
• The NTSB's Federal Family Assistance Plan for Aircraft Disasters
• Medical Center Air Ambulance hospital Wing NTSB Crash Report
• National Transportation Safety Board Releases Report On In Flight Fire Incident American Airlines Flight 1400
• Plane Crash in Rural Tennessee Due to Pilot Error
• Brownsville TN Medical Copter Crash Was One of Many
• Hospital Wing Medical Helicopter Crash Near Brownsville TN Being Investigated – Other Life Flight Company Declined To Fly Due To Weather
• Plane Crashes in Macon County Tennessee
• Ethiopian Air Flight 409 Tumbled Out of Sky On Take Off From Lebanon
• Ethiopian Airline Flight 409 Flight Data Recorder Located
• Fort Campbell Helicopter Crash in CO Blamed on Pilot Error
• Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 Crashes on Takeoff in Lebanon

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Library for Aviation Accidents:

• Comair AT Fault In Lexington KY Plane Crash [PDF]   
  Description: Comair found to be at fault for Comair 5191 plane crash in Lexington, Kentucky.
• Joint Resolution Regarding Criminalization of Aviation Accidents [PDF]   
  Description: A joint resolution, agreed upon by several civil aviation safety organizations, has been released regarding the criminalization of aviation accidents. The agreed upon conclusion stated in this memo is that criminal investigations following aviation accidents can hinder the process of determining failed safety procedures due to an unwillingness of involved persons to provide information for fear of criminal prosecution.
• The Emergency Response Guide to Military Aircraft Incidents [PDF]   
  Description: The Emergency Response Guide to Military Aircraft Incidents is a reference tool used by local agencies in the event of an accident involving a military aircraft.
• "Coping With Disasters," (A guidebook to psychosocial intervention) is a manual designed to aid in the treatment of all types of victims involved in large scale disasters. [PDF]   
  Description: Victims of aircraft disasters are encouraged to view this clinical manual. "Coping With Disasters," is intended for victims and families of victims that have been psychologically traumatized by a large scale disaster, such as an airline accident. This manual serves as a guide for the treatment of specific groups involved in all aspects of a traumatic event.
• The Federal Family Assistance Plan for Aviation Disasters is a plan released by the NTSB for the victims and families of victims involved in passenger aircraft accidents. [PDF]   
  Description: The National Transportation Safety board (NTSB) has a plan in place, The Federal Family Assistance Plan for Aviation Disasters, to coordinate assets such as state and federal agencies, as well as the airline involved, to assist victims and families in the event of a large scale aircraft accident.
• Medical Center Air Ambulance hospital Wing NTSB Crash Report [PDF]   
  Description: The NTSB has released it's preliminary report on the Medicial Center Air Ambulance d/b/a Hospital Wing Helicopter Crash near Brownsville, Tennessee.
• Plane Crash In Rural Tennessee Due to Failure to Maintain Visual Lookout by Pilot [PDF]   
  Description: Plane Crash in Rural Tennessee Was Not Due to Mechanicial Problems But Caused By Pilot Error According to the NTSB Factual Report
• NTSB Final Report issues findings regarding American Airlines Flight 1400 In-Flight Fire Incident On September 28, 2007, during departure from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. [PDF]   
  Description: NTSB Final Report From American Airlines Flight 1400 In-Flight Engine Fire Incident On September 28, 2007
• Memphis Piper Plane Crash on November 29, 2009 Due to Pilot Error or Some Unknown Reason? [PDF]   
  Description: A pilot was fatally injured and three passengers received serious injuries when their plane crashed while landing at Memphis International Airport (MEM), Memphis, Tennessee on November 29, 2009. They were in a Piper PA-32RT-300, N9243C, which was substantially damaged during the crash.
  The NTSB preliminary reports indicates that the aircraft was attempting an ILS landing on runway 18L but drifted off the localizer, left and too low for some unknown reason.
• Final Report on Aviation Disasters Involving Citizens on Government Aircraft   
  Description: This report contains information on how to better assist families following the loss of a loved one in an aviation disaster involving a government owned or operated aircraft.
• Iranian Commercial Plane Crashes Have Killed Over 730 In Recent Years   
  Description: Iranian Commercial Plane Crashes Have Killed Over 730 In Recent Years.
• Southwest Flight 2294 - Tennessee Aviation Lawyers Investigates   
  Description: Southwest flight 2294 was traveling from Nashville, TN to Baltimore, MD when the passengers were forced to experience a life-changing event. The Boeing 737-300 made an emergence landing in Charleston, WV after an explosive and sudden decompression of the cabin while at 34,000 feet. This sudden cabin decompression was caused when the fuselage ripped open forming a 17 inch hole near the rear of the airplane.
  Our investigation into the matter will focus on the adequacy, extent and frequency of Southwest’s fuselage inspections.
• Airline Safety – Should Passengers Be Concerned   
  Description: In the wake of several major commercial plane crashes, many people are concerned more than ever about commercial air travel safety. There were twice as many major plane crashes in the first six months of 2008, but so far in 2009, commercial airliner crashes have claimed five times as many lives as the previous year. Almost 400 people have died in major airline disasters so far in 2009.
• Continental Connection Flight 3407 - NTSB HP Group Chairman Factual Report Attachment Regarding Sterile Cockpit Procedures [PDF]   
  Description: View a copy of the NTSB HP Group Chairman Factual Report Attachment regarding sterile cockpit procedures regarding the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo
• View the NTSB Flight Data Recorder Group Chairman's Factual Report On Continental Connection Flight 3407 [PDF]   
  Description: View a copy of the NTSB Flight Data Recorder Group Chairman's Factual Report From the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo
• NTSB Operations Group Chariman's Interview Summary of Former FAA APM Regarding Continental Connection Flight 3407 [PDF]   
  Description: View a copy of the NTSB Operations Group Chairman's Interview Summary of Former FAA APM Regarding the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo
• Continental Flight 3407 NTSB Cockpit Voice Recorder Group Charman's Factual Report [PDF]   
  Description: View a copy of the NTSB Cockpit Voice Recorder Group Chairman's Factual Report From the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo, including a transcript from the voice recorder
• Flight 3407 NTSB Air Traffic Control Group Chairman's Factual Report [PDF]   
  Description: View a copy of the NTSB Air Traffic Control Group Chairman's Factual Report From the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo
• Continental 3407 Crash Near Buffalo Gets NTSB Hearing [PDF]   
  Description: Continental Connection Flight 3407 will receive a public hearing by the NTSB on May 12-14, 2009. The hearing will cover the safety issues concerning the crash of the Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 that occurred on February 12, 2009 near Clarence, NY.
• Life Flight Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Crash Numbers Spike in 2008   
  Description: “Life flight” or “Emergency Medical Service Helicopter” crash numbers spiked in 2008, according to a recently published National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report. These “On–Demand” flight operations experienced an alarming increase in fatalities in 2008 according to the preliminary aviation accident statistics report.

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Frequent Questions for Aviation Accidents:

• What is the FAA or Federal Aviation Administration?

• What is the NTSB or National Transportation Safety Board?

• Why Did This Tragedy Happen?

• What law applies to a commercial aviation disaster case?

• What are some of my protections under the law after a commercial airline disaster?  

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Web Resources for Aviation Accidents:

• NTSB National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

  Description: The National Transportation Safety Board is an independant U.S. federal government agency that investigates many types of accidents including aviation accidents.

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