In the fast paced world that we live in, people can’t seem to get from one place to another fast enough. Whether they are hurrying from one side of the country to the other for business or pleasure, there is no denying that we are rushing to get somewhere. As a result, there are significantly more airplanes in the sky today than there were a few decades ago in an attempt to accommodate all the passengers that need to get somewhere fast. Not only are there more large commercial airplanes cruising the skies over North America, but the number of private airplanes flying the skies has also increased dramatically and with the increase in private airplanes there is also an increase in the risk of an airplane accident.
When most people talk about statistical chances of being involved in an airplane accident or dying in a plane crash, they are generally referring to your chances in a large commercial jet airliner. While its true that your odds of being involved in, or dying in, a commercial airplane accident are slim, your odds get significantly worse when you are flying a smaller private airplane. Studies show us that flying on a large commercial airplane is by far the safest form of flying. Fatalities per million flight hours on large commercial airliners as a whole are at 4.03. Compare that figure to fatalities per million flight hours on commuter airlines – 10.74 and fatalities per million flight hours on air taxis/on demand flights – 12.24. The deadliest form of flight is by private airplane with a fatality per million flight hours of 22.43. By anyone’s standards, that is a significant difference.
Experts differ in their opinions as to why your chance of being involved in an accident is so much higher in a smaller private airplane. We know that significantly more than half of all airplane accidents can be attributed – at least in part – to wither pilot error or mechanical failure. While many pilots flying smaller private airlines may have years of experience and be excellent pilots, there is simply not the same oversight of private pilots that there is with commercial pilots. Commercial airlines are held to strict standards and depend on their safety record to make a profit. A private airline pilot may be licensed to fly the plane he is piloting, but may not have anywhere near the experience of his commercial counterpart. The same basic principle may apply to the mechanical failure accidents as well. The larger airlines have well established procedures to regularly check and maintain their fleet of airplanes. Again, failure to do so could cost them millions of dollars as well as their reputation. Private pilots are also required to de a pre-flight check of the airplane, but it may be that they lack the experience to recognize potential problems or simply that they have rushed through the inspection.
Regardless of the reason for the difference between commercial airplanes and private airplanes, if you have been the victim of an airplane accident in a private airplane you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you suffered as a result. If the accident was due to pilot error, mechanical failure or other type of negligence, then you may have a valid California airplane accident case. Contact the law firm of Ledger & Associates and speak to California airplane accident lawyer Emery Ledger today for a free and detailed evaluation of your case. Toll-free at 1-800-300-0001 or online at www.ledgerlaw.com
