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.

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)

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.

Blog for Aviation Accidents

Library for Aviation Accidents:

Comair AT Fault In Lexington KY Plane Crash [PDF]
Comair found to be at fault for Comair 5191 plane crash in Lexington, Kentucky.
Joint Resolution Regarding Criminalization of Aviation Accidents [PDF]
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]
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.
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]
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.
"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]
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.
Medical Center Air Ambulance hospital Wing NTSB Crash Report [PDF]
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]
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]
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]
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
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
Iranian Commercial Plane Crashes Have Killed Over 730 In Recent Years.
Southwest Flight 2294 - Tennessee Aviation Lawyers Investigates
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
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.
Flight 3407 NTSB Air Traffic Control Group Chairman's Factual Report [PDF]
View a copy of the NTSB Air Traffic Control Group Chairman's Factual Report From the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo
Continental Flight 3407 NTSB Cockpit Voice Recorder Group Charman's Factual Report [PDF]
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
NTSB Operations Group Chariman's Interview Summary of Former FAA APM Regarding Continental Connection Flight 3407 [PDF]
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
View the NTSB Flight Data Recorder Group Chairman's Factual Report On Continental Connection Flight 3407 [PDF]
View a copy of the NTSB Flight Data Recorder Group Chairman's Factual Report From the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo
Continental Connection Flight 3407 - NTSB HP Group Chairman Factual Report Attachment Regarding Sterile Cockpit Procedures [PDF]
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
Continental 3407 Crash Near Buffalo Gets NTSB Hearing [PDF]
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.
NTSB Aviation Accident Statistics for 2008 Show Mixed Picture
While the overall aviation safety record in the United States is among the best in the world, the 2008 accident statistics reveal a mixed picture.

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Frequent Questions for Aviation Accidents:

Videos about Aviation Accidents:

Tennessee Aviation Attorney Discusses Commercial Airplane Crashes

What do aviation attorneys do for you and your family?

Web Resources for Aviation Accidents:

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Description: The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to general aviation.
The Organization promotes safety through training and strives to keep aviation fun as well as affordable.
Aviation Safety Network
Description: The Aviation Safety Network is a private, independent initiative that covers accidents and safety issues with regards to airliners, military transport planes and corporate jets.
The ASN Safety Database contains detailed, up to date and reliable descriptions of over 10,700 incidents, hijackings and accidents.
Helicopter Association International
Description:

The Helicopter Association Internatinal provides its members with services that directly benefit their operations, and advances the international helicopter community by providing programs that enhance safety, encourage professionalism and economic viability while promoting the unique contributions vertical flight offers society.
International Council of Air Shows
Description: The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) is a not-for-profit organization made up of professionals involved in the air show industry.
The purpose of this organization is to help maintain safety at air shows by promoting continued training of air show personel and acting as a resource and data base for air show safety standards.
The ICAS also acts to promote the air show industry to the media and the general public.
NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System
Description:
The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is a program run by NASA that collects, analyzes, and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports in order to lessen the likelihood of aviation accidents.
National Business Aviation Association
Description: The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 Member Companies of all sizes and located across the country.
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.