Aviation Law & Investigation

This section addresses the legal, regulatory, and investigative issues that arise in aviation accident matters. Aircraft cases often involve technical evidence, federal investigative procedures, certification and maintenance questions, and liability issues that differ substantially from those encountered in ordinary personal injury litigation.

The articles collected here are intended to provide a clearer understanding of the framework within which aviation cases are investigated and litigated. Topics may include the role of the National Transportation Safety Board, the relationship between the FAA and the NTSB, evidentiary and preservation issues, and recurring liability questions involving operators, manufacturers, maintenance providers, and other entities involved in aviation operations.

These resources are designed to complement the firm’s accident analyses by explaining the underlying process and legal structure rather than focusing on a single event.

Southwest Flight 1380 – Fan Blade Failures in Turbo Fan Engines

Aviation Law & Investigation

On April 17, 2018, Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 experienced an in-flight engine failure that resulted in an emergency landing in Philadelphia and a fatal passenger injury. Early reporting and the ensuing investigation focused attention on fan blade integrity,...

TWA Flight 800 Litigation: Fuel Tank Explosion & DOHSA Interpretation

Aviation Law & Investigation

On July 17, 1996, Trans World Airlines Flight 800, a Boeing 747, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Long Island, New York. The litigation that followed became a significant example of coordinated aviation disaster proceedings involving complex causation disputes,...