Plane Crash Along Dog Bar Road Kills Pilot and Passenger
Two fatalities were reported in a rural area of Grass Valley on February 20 in a plane crash involving a Lockwood Aircam. The accident was reported to the Federal Aviation Administration around 2:05 p.m. However, 911 dispatch reported they received the call of the crash at the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office around 1:26 p.m.
Federal Investigators Arriving to Determine Cause of Plane Crash
The crash occurred along Dog Bar Road between Lodestar Lane and Blackhawk Court. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are scheduled to visit the site of the downed plane on February 21. They said they had preliminary information about the fatal plane crash and more would be available once records and the flight plan are examined.
Lockwood Aircam Is a Do-It-Yourself Aircraft
The Lockwood Aircam is an aircraft with a pusher configuration, an open cockpit, twin engines and a high wing. They are kit airplanes constructed with tandem seats. Eight accidents, one other with a fatality, were reported by the NTSB between 1993 and 2010.
Accidents Involving Kit Planes
Kit planes, also known as home-built aircraft or experimental amateur-built aircraft, are a unique type of aircraft. They can be flown by recreational pilots who have built the plane from scratch or an existing kit. Kit planes must meet certain criteria to be airworthy, such as meeting minimum standards on design, construction, performance and maintainability. Furthermore, pilots must obtain an FAA certificate or “experimental airworthiness certification” to fly a kit plane.
Numerous Accidents Reported in Kit Planes
In 2018 alone, the NTSB reported 85 plane accidents involving experimental amateur-built aircraft, resulting in 23 fatalities and 17 serious injuries. They also reported that many of the accidents were caused by factors such as improper assembly and inadequate maintenance.
To help prevent future kit plane accidents, the FAA requires pilots to get special flight training before they can fly a kit plane. Additionally, aircraft builders must adhere to certain building requirements and have their plane inspected regularly by an FAA-certificated mechanic. Finally, all kit plane pilots should continue to stay up to date on the latest safety information and always practice safety protocols when operating their aircraft.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in a Plane Crash
If you have lost a loved one in a plane crash due to the negligence or wrongful act of another person, filing a wrongful death claim in California may be an option for seeking compensation. A wrongful death claim is designed to provide financial relief for families who have suffered the loss of their loved one and to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions. To begin a wrongful death claim in California, you must first contact an experienced attorney who can review the circumstances of your case and advise you on your legal options.
Your lawyer will collect evidence to support your claim and determine what type of compensation may be available. Depending on the facts of your case, this compensation may include funeral costs, lost wages, pain and suffering or punitive damages.
Sacramento Airplane Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento airplane accident lawyer. We are here to help you decide whether a wrongful death claim can be filed by your family. Please contact us at (916) 921-6400 for compassionate, free and friendly legal advice. Alternatively, you can reach us by phone at (800) 404-5400 or through our website online.
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Photo attribution: Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay
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