4 Headline-Making Plane Crashes Caused by Pilot Error

New York aviation attorney lists four high profile plane crashes that have been attributed to pilot error.

Statistics show that approximately 90 percent of all general aviation accidents are caused by pilot error. According to New York based aviation accident lawyer Jonathan C. Reiter of the Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm PLLC, “Many of the most serious pilot errors in recent years have involved a failure to maintain “situational awareness.”

The attorney explains “This term can refer to many things, including failing to properly monitor instruments, gauges and controls on the aircraft, as well as external factors such as weather conditions and other aviation traffic. Failure to observe the sterile cockpit rule e.g. pilots engaging in personal, non-aviation related conversation during takeoff and landing, has also been a significant factor in several aviation crashes, since this behavior undermines pilot concentration and can detract from situational awareness during the most dangerous parts of the flight.”

What Several Plane Crash Investigations Have Revealed

Several aviation accidents have made headlines in recent years. Unbeknownst to some, a number of these have been determined by investigative agencies like the National Transportation Safety Board to have been caused by pilot mistakes. Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter has outlined the following list of 4 of the top headline-making aviation accidents that investigations have linked to pilot error.

1. Crash of TransAsia Flight 235 – One of the aircraft’s engines experienced a flameout soon after takeoff from Taipei Songshan Airport, on February 4, 2015. The pilot then mistakenly shut off the engine that was functioning correctly, leaving the plane powerless. His subsequent attempt to restart both engines was unsuccessful, resulting in the plane clipping a bridge and crashing into the Keelung River. A reported 43 of the 58 people on board were killed.
2. Crash of Air France Flight AF447 – In the June 2009 crash, the autopilot on the plane disengaged after the captain took a break. The co-pilot of the flight reportedly subsequently began to receive messages that were not consistent. An investigation found that the decision of the co-pilot to tilt the plane upwards in an attempt to respond to an issue with the plane’s speed sensors ultimately led to the crash. The passenger flight was scheduled from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Paris, France. All 228 people onboard were killed.
3. Lion Air Flight 904 – The domestic passenger flight scheduled to fly from Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung to Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, Indonesia crashed on April 13, 2013 during the final approach short of runway. All 108 people aboard the aircraft survived; however, multiple people were injured. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error after it was concluded that the captain was not able to see the runway upon descent and handed control over to a co-captain at an altitude that was below the minimum required to be considered safe.
4. Asiana Airlines Flight 214 – The transpacific passenger flight crashed at the San Francisco International Airport on July 6, 2013. Three passengers were killed as a result of the crash. Reports attribute the crash to a decrease in the plane’s speed that resulted in it landing short of the runway. This was caused by the pilot selecting the wrong autopilot mode. According to New York attorney Jonathan C. Reiter “this crash illustrates how a lack of monitoring awareness can lead to major problems even if the plane’s components are all in working order.” The crew realized how long the aircraft had been flying at 100 feet too late to make a correction.

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Aviation Attorney – Top Mistakes Pilots Make That Place Commercial Plane Passengers at Risk

Aviation Safety Magazine Report “The Problem With Flight Training

Aviation attorney Jonathan C. Reiter outlines four of the most commonly reported pilot errors that put the lives of commercial plane passengers at risk.

Statistics show that an estimated 80 percent of commercial and 90 percent of general aviation accidents are linked to pilot error. Pilot error is a generalized term that references a number of actions or decisions that pilots make that lead to accidents. The issue has been the stated cause of several high profile plane crashes that have occurred in recent years, including the crash of an Era Aviation Beechcraft 1900 C/C that occurred at the Homer Airport in 2013. The National Transportation Safety Board recently released a report outlining the agency’s findings of what caused the crash.

Source: Peninsula Clarion “Report: Pilot error cause of 2013 Era crash”

“Pilot error caused the Oct. 23, 2013, crash of an Era Aviation Beechcraft 1900 C/C at the Homer Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report…The two-engine plane slid on its belly from the east end of the runway to near the terminal after the landing gear collapsed. All 13 passengers and the two crew members walked away from the crash. Three passengers are now alleging injuries. The plane was flying to Homer from Anchorage.”

To read more visit http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2015-10-31/report-pilot-eror-cause-of-2013-era-crash.

According to Aviation Safety Magazine, pilot error may be tactical, which is based on the poor conduct or decision making of pilots, or operational, which is related to a pilot’s training or flight instruction.

Source: Aviation Safety Magazine Report “The Problem With Flight Training”

“A catchall phrase, pilot error, is assigned either as a broad cause or a factor in upwards of 90 percent of general aviation accidents. But pilot error comes in two distinctly different flavors: tactical errors, which can be attributed directly to a pilot’s chosen behavior; and operational errors, which can be traced back to instructional errors or omissions committed during flight training.”

To read more visit http://www.aviationsafetymagazine.com/airplane/Flight-Training-Mistakes.html.

Personal Injury Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter, who has worked on a number of high profile plane crash cases, says there are five pilot errors that he’s seen reported more frequently than others throughout his career that have led to serious accidents. These include:

• Pilots demonstrating overconfidence of their ability to continue flying in inclement weather – In many plane crashes that are attributed to inclement weather, a number resulted because the pilot chose to continue flying in spite of the risks. Some give in to the pressure of trying to make sure passengers get to a destination on time, or mistakenly view themselves as capable of flying through foggy conditions that could cause them to lose control and crash.
• Inadequate preflight preparations – Some pilots overlook the importance of using a preflight checklist once they feel they have gained enough experience to do everything out of memory. However, by not relying on a checklist they run the risk of overlooking important steps that will help them ensure the safest flight possible.
• Poor communication – Poor communication with air traffic control can occur for a number of reasons. One major problem is the choice some pilots make to keep quiet when they need help or aren’t clear about ATC instructions. When pilots fail to get clarification about what they think they heard if there is a misunderstanding, serious consequences could result.
• Not using the “I’M SAFE” checklist – In addition to using a checklist for preflight preparations pertaining to the safety of aircraft and operations, pilots are also instructed to perform a checklist regarding their health. The “I’M SAFE” checklist is a guideline for helping pilots assess their physical and emotional health before taking their place in the cockpit. Some pilots forget to use the measure; however, and choose to operate a plane while experiencing fatigue, stress, or other conditions that could impact their ability to safely operate a plane.

For families of plane crash victims who have been involved in an aviation accident caused by pilot error, there are legal options to explore for ensuring that an airline is held accountable. By speaking with an aviation accident lawyer, one can obtain an assessment of the options that are available for their specific case.

Media Contact:

Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC
646-863-8172
http://injuryaccidentnews.jcreiterlaw.com/
Connect with the Jonathan C. Reiter, PLLC law firm on Facebook, Twitter
Hear the New York aviation attorney’s legal perspective on recent major plane crash cases via YouTube.

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Egypt Plane Crash Prompts U.N. Panel Review of Airport Security

Aviation lawyer Jonathan C. Reiter – When Airport Security Lapses Put Plane Passengers at Risk

Aviation lawyer Jonathan C. Reiter reports on recent developments concerning the October 31st crash of a Metrojet airliner in Egypt.

The United Nations’ aviation agency recently announced that a panel of experts will conduct a review of airport security issues amid rising safety concerns following the crash of a Russian airliner in Egypt. The panel led by the International Civil Aviation Organization is scheduled to meet in March of next year.

Source: Reuters Report “U.N. panel to review airport security after Egypt plane crash”

“The United Nations’ aviation agency said on Monday its panel of security experts will review ways to better protect airports from terrorism following concerns of lax security raised after a Russian plane was destroyed on Oct. 31…The International Civil Aviation Organization-led panel, which is to meet in March 2016, will emphasize airport security following the crash of a Metrojet airline in Egypt, ICAO Council President Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu told reporters Monday.

To read more visit http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/23/us-un-airport-security-idUSKBN0TC1ZE20151123#TtLmHXFG6w4ZpL53.97.

The review will consider current standards and security protocol for airports in facilitating air travel. The ICAO sets global standards for international flights for 191 countries that are members. How well member countries are conforming to outlined standards and other factors regarding their ability to maintain sound airport oversight will also be addressed by the review.

ICAO Council President Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu is quoted in the Reuters report as stating of aviation security, “The security of our member states actually starts, in most cases, at the airport.”

When Airport Security Lapses Put Plane Passengers at Risk

Aviation attorney Jonathan C. Reiter of the Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm PLLC, says that security measures implemented by airports are paramount to passenger safety. The attorney has handled several high profile aviation accident cases, and stated in a past interview with Bloomberg on related issues, “From a legal standpoint…the airlines have an obligation to protect the lives of their passengers, and if something goes wrong it’s their burden to show that they did do everything to protect the lives of their passengers, and that they did not take unnecessary risks.”

The circumstances surrounding the Egypt plane crash are currently under investigation. The plane was departing from the Sharm al-Sheikh airport . More than 200 passengers were killed in the incident. Earlier reports have said that despite widespread speculation that terrorism may have been a factor, the exact cause remains unknown.

Source: AFP Report “Egypt says no theory yet in Russian plane crash probe”

“Cairo (AFP) – Egypt pushed back Saturday against international suspicions that a bomb downed a Russian plane in the Sinai, as investigators said the cause of the crash that killed 224 was still unknown.”

To read more visit http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-fm-says-no-hypothesis-yet-russian-plane-095842495.html;_ylt=AwrC2Q7LDVVWOw4AuD7QtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTByaWg0YW05BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM4BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg–.

Angela Gittens, director general of Airports Council International, is quoted as stating of the aviation security investigation and its potential outcome, “The question becomes did the airline and the airport exercise standard protocols? If they did, then we have a problem. If they didn’t, then they have a problem.”

International aviation attorney Jonathan C. Reiter will continue to follow updates as the story develops.

Media Contact:

Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC
646-863-8172
http://injuryaccidentnews.jcreiterlaw.com/
Connect with the Jonathan C. Reiter, PLLC law firm on Facebook, Twitter
Hear the New York aviation attorney’s legal perspective on recent major plane crash cases via YouTube.

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