I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento airplane crash lawyer. One man died recently when his airplane crashed into a Sacramento area backyard.
What Happened?
On 3 August, a small plane crashed into the backyard of a home at the intersection of 28th and U Streets in Rio Linda. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department both responded to the accident.
Upon arrival, they discovered an unresponsive pilot. Paramedics attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but their efforts were unsuccessful. The pilot was declared dead at the scene.
The home was not damaged, but the crashing airplane did bring down a nearby power line. Authorities also had to close the surrounding roads for several hours.
Plane’s Flight Path
Witnesses report that the plane was traveling south at a low altitude right before crashing. There was no other indication of distress. Authorities are working to determine where the aircraft originated and its destination.
About the Victim
Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased victim. Per standard policy, they are waiting until family can be notified.
About the Airplane
Authorities identified the aircraft, however, as a home-built Lancair IV-P. The Lancair IV-P is a four seat airplane with a low-wing retractable gear. Lancair International sold these planes from 1990 to 2012 and gained a reputation as one of the best personal planes.
The Lancaster IV-P typically boasts a 350HP Continental TSIO-550 engine. This gives it up to 350 horsepower at lower altitudes. For comparison, the 2017 Ford Mustang GT produces up to 400 horsepower.
About Home-Built Aircraft
The above details may not seem to make sense because this is a “home-built” aircraft. “Home-built” does not mean that it is designed by the owner. Rather, in the case of this aircraft, it means the owner purchased a kit and then assembled the plane at home.
These aircraft are then often classified as experimental because they were not assembled by a licensed mechanic. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must also inspect the aircraft before it is allowed to fly.
Liability with Home-Built Aircraft
Due to the experimental status of most home-built airplanes, the owner of the aircraft is typically liable for accidents involving home-built airplanes. However, the manufacturer may be liable if a mechanical defect caused the accident.
Additionally, FAA inspectors may be considered liable if the accident was caused by a faulty medical examination of the pilot.
Cause of the Accident
At this time, there is no information on whether the plane’s experimental status impacted the accident. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the accident.
The paramedics’ attempts to revive the pilot may indicate a medical emergency caused the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that the pilot did not have outward signs of fatal injuries. Therefore, the pilot may have suffered a medical emergency mid-flight.
This medical emergency may have caused the pilot’s death and therefore the accident.
Medical Certification for Flight
All pilots must receive a physical from a FAA-certified physician in order to fly a plane. In many cases, this examination discovers medical conditions that may incapacitate a pilot mid-flight. If the physician missed a clear medical problem, that physician could be liable for the accident.
Related Articles by Sacramento Airplane Crash Lawyer, Ed Smith:
- Airplane Accidents
- Helicopter Accidents
- How a Helicopter Works and How a Helicopter Crashes
- Crop Duster Accidents
- Skydiving Accidents
- What is a Wrongful Death?
Sacramento Airplane Crash Lawyer & Wrongful Death Attorney
I am Ed Smith and I am a Sacramento airplane crash lawyer. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a Sacramento plane crash, please call me promptly for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or toll free (800) 404-5400.
Airplanes are complicated machines, so it makes sense that lawsuits related to them can be very complex. My 34 years of experience in personal injury and wrongful death law have given me extensive knowledge of these cases.
I am here to help you. To see how I have helped others, please see my reviews on:
Please also read about my Past Verdicts and Settlements.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates. This is a forum of top-ranking trial lawyers with million dollar verdicts and settlements.
Sources:
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article165322592.html
http://www.abc10.com/news/local/sacramento/small-aircraft-crashes-in-rio-linda-backyard/461781903
Image Attribution: A Hunt via Wikimedia Commons
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