Flying feels routine right up until something goes wrong, and when it does, the legal landscape looks nothing like a typical car accident case. Whether the accident involved a small private plane out of a regional airfield or a larger commercial flight through Logan, understanding who can actually be held responsible takes some unpacking. For help navigating the legal landscape, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. 

Common Causes of Aircraft Related Injuries

Aviation accidents tend to trace back to a handful of recurring causes. Pilot error remains one of the most common factors, whether through poor decision making, inadequate training, or fatigue from an aggressive flight schedule. Mechanical failures, including engine problems and electrical malfunctions, are another frequent cause, and the Federal Aviation Administration regularly issues Airworthiness Directives specifically to address recurring safety concerns tied to certain aircraft components. Negligent maintenance, where inspections or repairs are not properly performed, can lead to preventable mechanical failures down the line. Air traffic control errors, including miscommunication or inadequate spacing between aircraft, contribute to certain crashes as well, particularly at busier airports. Structural or design defects in the aircraft itself round out the most commonly cited causes.

Can Airports Be Held Accountable for Injuries?

This is where aviation cases get genuinely complicated. Airports, particularly larger ones operated by government authorities, often benefit from sovereign immunity protections that shield government entities from many types of lawsuits. Claims involving air traffic control errors frequently run into this exact obstacle, since federal law protects the government from liability tied to the oversight, training, or qualifications of air traffic controllers in many circumstances.

That said, sovereign immunity is not absolute. Depending on the facts, an airport authority may still face liability for hazards within its own direct control, such as poorly maintained runways, inadequate lighting, or negligent ground operations that contributed to an accident. Claims against aircraft manufacturers and component suppliers can also proceed under product liability theories, including design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn. Third party maintenance providers and fixed base operators who service aircraft must comply with FAA maintenance and inspection standards, and a failure to do so can expose them to liability separate from the airport itself.

Massachusetts does not impose a statutory cap on non-economic damages in most aviation cases, which means a jury can fully account for the severity of injuries when awarding compensation for pain, suffering, and permanent impact on quality of life. The National Transportation Safety Board independently investigates aviation accidents, typically taking 12 to 24 months to determine a probable cause, though the resulting report itself generally cannot be introduced as evidence in a civil case, even though underlying factual materials like radar data and maintenance records often can be.

Why These Cases Demand Immediate Attention

Critical evidence, including flight data recorder contents, cockpit voice recordings, and physical wreckage, must be preserved immediately after an aviation accident, since much of this evidence is controlled by federal investigators and third parties rather than the victim. Massachusetts generally allows three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim, though claims involving certain government defendants may carry much shorter notice deadlines that require prompt action.

Talk to Tetzel Law About Your Aviation Accident

Aviation accident cases involve federal regulations, potential sovereign immunity defenses, and evidence that can disappear quickly if it is not preserved right away. Our Boston personal injury attorneys at Tetzel Law understand how to navigate these complex cases and identify every party who may be responsible. Contact us online or call (617) 742-1700 today for a free consultation to discuss what happened and your legal options.