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Airplane Accident Lawsuits
An airplane accident lawsuit may help injured passengers, people hurt on the ground and families who lost a loved one seek compensation when negligence, defective equipment or poor maintenance contributed to a crash. The Law Offices of Jason Turchin helps people in Florida review their options. Call 800-337-7755 for a free consultation.
Commercial aviation accidents are relatively uncommon, but aviation injury cases can be extraordinarily complex. A single accident may involve an airline, pilots, aircraft manufacturers, maintenance contractors, airport operators, air traffic controllers, component manufacturers and multiple insurance companies.
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin represents victims and families in serious personal injury, product liability and wrongful death matters. If you were injured or lost a family member in an aviation accident, our attorneys can review what happened and discuss your potential legal options.
What Can Cause an Airplane Accident?
Airplane crashes and aviation incidents can result from many different circumstances. Investigators often find several contributing factors rather than one isolated cause.
Potential causes may include:
- Pilot error or inadequate pilot training
- Mechanical failure, including engine, brake, fuel or electrical system problems
- Landing gear problems
- Defective aircraft components or defective aircraft design
- Improper aircraft maintenance
- Air traffic control errors
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Runway hazards
- Improper loading or cargo distribution
- Failure to follow established aviation procedures
Finding the cause may require detailed analysis of aircraft wreckage, electronic data, maintenance records, pilot communications, weather information and other evidence.
Not every in-flight injury involves a crash. Passengers can also be hurt by turbulence, falling luggage or other onboard hazards. Learn more about your rights if you were injured during a flight in Florida.
What Happened in the Miami Amazon Cargo Plane Crash?
A September 2026 accident at Miami International Airport shows how complicated an aviation accident investigation may become.
On September 6, 2026, a Boeing 767-33A operated by 21 Air LLC as Flight 7598 on behalf of Amazon was arriving in Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft overran Runway 30 after landing and struck two passenger vehicles on the ground.
Five people on the ground suffered fatal injuries, and three others suffered serious injuries. The two crewmembers aboard the aircraft sustained minor injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigation. Preliminary findings raised questions about the aircraft’s landing speed, touchdown location, wind information provided to the flight crew and the operation of systems designed to help the aircraft slow down.
The NTSB investigation remains ongoing. Preliminary information is not a final determination of probable cause or legal liability.
What Is the NTSB Examining in the Miami Crash?
The NTSB recovered and successfully downloaded the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. Preliminary information indicated that the Boeing 767 touched down much farther down the runway than normally expected while traveling at a high speed.
Reports on the investigation indicated that the aircraft touched down approximately 3,750 feet beyond the normal touchdown point with a ground speed of approximately 160 knots, or about 184 mph.
Investigators also reported that recorded flight data showed no indication that the speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed. Both systems can help a large commercial aircraft slow after touchdown.
The investigation also raised questions about updated wind information given to the pilots and cockpit discussions about the aircraft’s speed and a possible go-around. The accident shows why aviation cases may require a review of many factors before anyone can say what caused a crash.
Who Can File an Airplane Accident Lawsuit?
Depending on the circumstances, several groups of people may have legal claims after an aviation accident.
Passengers
Passengers injured in a crash, emergency landing, runway accident or other aviation incident may be able to pursue compensation.
Flight Crew
Pilots, flight attendants and other crewmembers may have claims in certain situations. Employment and workers’ compensation laws can affect the remedies available to them.
People on the Ground
An aircraft accident may injure airport workers, motorists, pedestrians, residents or others who were never on board. The Miami cargo plane accident, for example, resulted in deaths and serious injuries among people on the ground.
Families of Fatal Accident Victims
When an aviation accident causes a death, eligible family members or the estate may be able to pursue wrongful death or survival claims.
Who May Be Liable for an Airplane Accident?
Determining liability is one of the most complicated parts of an aviation lawsuit. Depending on the evidence, potentially responsible parties may include:
- Airlines, charter companies and aircraft operators
- Pilots
- Aircraft, engine and component manufacturers
- Maintenance companies
- Aircraft owners
- Airport operators and contractors
- Government entities responsible for air traffic control
More than one party may share responsibility. For example, investigators might find that pilot decisions contributed to an accident while also identifying a mechanical problem or maintenance failure. Each case requires its own independent investigation.
Can You File a Product Liability Claim After a Plane Crash?
Some aviation accidents involve claims that an aircraft or one of its parts was defectively designed or manufactured. Components that may be examined include:
- Engines, braking systems and flight controls
- Landing gear and tires
- Electrical and fuel systems
- Navigation equipment and warning systems
- Aircraft seats, seat belts and restraints
- Doors and emergency equipment
A product liability investigation may look at how a component was designed and made, earlier failures, maintenance history, safety notices, service bulletins and whether safer alternative designs were available.
A mechanical failure does not automatically prove a product defect. Investigators may need to determine whether the failure came from design, manufacturing, maintenance, wear, misuse or another cause.
Can Poor Maintenance Cause an Airplane Accident?
Aircraft require extensive inspection and maintenance, so maintenance records can become critical evidence after a serious accident.
Investigators may examine whether maintenance providers properly inspected the aircraft, completed required repairs, followed manufacturer procedures, replaced parts when required and accurately documented their work.
If negligent maintenance contributed to an accident, a maintenance company or another responsible party may face liability.
Can Air Traffic Control or an Airport Be Responsible?
Not every aviation accident starts with the aircraft itself. Investigators may examine whether air traffic controllers gave pilots appropriate instructions and relevant information about weather, runway conditions, traffic or other hazards. Airport-related issues may also contribute to an accident.
Claims against the federal government or another governmental entity may be subject to special procedures, notice requirements and deadlines. These rules can differ substantially from those in ordinary personal injury lawsuits.
What Injuries Do Airplane Accidents Cause?
Aviation accidents may cause catastrophic or permanent injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe burns and smoke inhalation
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Permanent scarring
- Psychological trauma
- Wrongful death
Survivors may need surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, psychological treatment or lifelong medical care.
What Compensation Is Available in an Airplane Accident Lawsuit?
Compensation depends on the circumstances and the law that applies. Potential damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Other accident-related losses
Non-economic losses can be harder to measure than medical bills. Learn more about how pain and suffering is calculated in Florida.
When an accident causes a death, eligible family members or the estate may pursue wrongful death or survival claims. Damages may include funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of services, pre-death pain and suffering and other damages allowed by law. Our Miami wrongful death lawyers can explain how these claims work.
What Evidence Is Important After an Airplane Accident?
Airplane accident investigations can produce large amounts of technical evidence. Important evidence may include:
- Flight data recorder information and cockpit voice recordings
- Air traffic control communications and radar information
- Aircraft wreckage
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Pilot training records
- Weather reports
- Airport surveillance footage
- Passenger photographs or videos and witness statements
- Aircraft service bulletins and manufacturer records
Government agencies may hold some evidence, while airlines, manufacturers, airports and private companies may control other records. Preserving evidence early can help show what happened and who may be responsible.
If you were involved in an aviation accident, these steps may help protect your rights:
- Get medical care right away and follow your treatment plan.
- Keep photos, videos, boarding passes, tickets and any other records from the trip.
- Write down what you remember and the names of witnesses.
- Save medical bills, receipts and proof of lost income.
- Be careful about giving recorded statements to insurance companies before getting legal advice.
- Speak with an attorney about preserving evidence held by others.
What Does the NTSB Do After an Airplane Crash?
The National Transportation Safety Board investigates many significant civil aviation accidents in the United States. Its work may include examining wreckage, interviewing witnesses, analyzing flight recorders, reviewing maintenance records, evaluating weather and studying pilot and air traffic control communications.
The NTSB may eventually issue findings on the probable cause of an accident and make safety recommendations. However, an NTSB investigation and a civil airplane accident lawsuit serve different purposes.
Injured victims and families may need an independent legal investigation to preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, evaluate insurance coverage and protect their legal rights.
How Long Do You Have to File an Airplane Accident Lawsuit?
The deadline to file an aviation accident lawsuit can vary significantly. Factors may include where the accident happened, where the lawsuit is filed, who the defendants are, whether a governmental entity is involved and whether state, federal or international law applies.
Some claims also have special notice requirements that may expire before the ordinary statute of limitations. Because aviation accidents can involve multiple jurisdictions and parties, victims and families should consider getting legal advice as soon as reasonably possible.
Accolades of the Law Offices of Jason Turchin
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin represents individuals and families in serious personal injury, wrongful death and product liability matters.
Jason Turchin has been selected to Super Lawyers each year from 2020 through 2026 and was previously selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2011 and from 2013 through 2016.
He has received an Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating and was AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell in 2026. The firm also received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award in 2026 and has maintained an A+ BBB rating annually from 2014 through 2026.
The firm and its cases have been featured by national media outlets including CBS Evening News, CBS This Morning, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Bloomberg News, Rolling Stone and The Washington Post.
Past results and accolades do not guarantee future outcomes.
How Can the Law Offices of Jason Turchin Help After an Airplane Accident?
Airplane accident lawsuits may involve complicated questions of federal aviation regulations, state law, product liability, insurance coverage and jurisdiction.
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin can review the circumstances of an aviation accident and evaluate potential claims against airlines, aircraft operators, manufacturers, maintenance companies, contractors or other responsible parties.
When appropriate, our firm may work with aviation, engineering, accident reconstruction and medical professionals to investigate how an accident happened and document the resulting injuries.
Qualifying personal injury and wrongful death cases may be handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no attorneys’ fees unless compensation is recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airplane Accident Lawsuits
Can I sue after an airplane accident?
Possibly. If negligence, a defective product, improper maintenance or another legally actionable condition contributed to your injuries, you may have a claim.
Can people injured on the ground file airplane accident lawsuits?
Possibly. You do not need to be a passenger to be hurt by an aircraft accident, and people on the ground may have claims.
Does an NTSB investigation decide who is legally liable?
Not necessarily. The NTSB investigates to determine probable causes and improve transportation safety. Civil liability involves separate legal questions.
How much is an airplane accident lawsuit worth?
There is no standard value. Compensation depends on factors such as injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, permanent disability, available insurance, applicable law and evidence of liability.
How much does it cost to speak with the Law Offices of Jason Turchin?
Initial consultations are free. Qualifying cases may be handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no attorneys’ fees unless compensation is recovered.
Talk to an Attorney About Your Airplane Accident
If you or a loved one was hurt in a plane crash or aviation incident, the Law Offices of Jason Turchin can review your situation and explain your options. Call 800-337-7755 or contact us online for a free consultation.
